Comparison of gut microbiomes between native and invasive viviparids (Gastropoda, Viviparidae)

• In Event: Poster Presentation and Judging for: Anthropology; Botany; Conservation Ecology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Science; Geosciences; Mathematics & Computer Science; Neuroscience; Physics & Eng; Science Education; Terrestrial Ecology & Management.
  In Poster Session: Freshwater Science Poster Session

Abstract

Invasive species can be defined as those organisms introduced in areas where they did not evolve. Because of that, they are capable of adapting to biotic and abiotic conditions that can be very different from those found in their native range. In general, successful
invaders possess high fecundity, fast growth rate, short generation time, and high genetic variability, traits usually associated with r-selected species. While the ecological and natural history impacts of invasive species are well documented, the role of microbiomes in these interactions has remained relatively unknown. Research has shown that alien species can alter microbiomes significantly in marine and terrestrial systems. We used two species of freshwater viviparid snail, one native (Campeloma decisum) and one invasive (Cipangopaludina japonica), and analyzed their gut microbiomes using next-generation sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene. We present comparisons of bacterial diversity at varying taxonomic levels and identify diagnostic taxa for each snail species. We also propose potential physiological differences between species' microbiomes that may give the invasive species an advantage in non-native habitats.

Authors

• Ernest North, University of Houston Clear Lake

• Russell Minton, University of Houston Clear Lake