bioRxiv Science⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/076059

Parasite-microbiota interactions potentially affect intestinal communities in wild mammals

Aivelo, T.·Norberg, A.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Detecting interaction between species is notoriously difficult, and disentangling species associations in host-related gut communities is especially challenging. Nevertheless, due to contemporary methods, including metabarcoding and 16S sequencing, collecting observational data on community composition has become easier and much more common. We studied the previously collected data sets of intestinal microbiota and parasite compositions within longitudinally followed mouse lemurs by analysing the potential interactions with diversity metrics and novel joint species distribution modelling. Both methods showed consistent statistical association between certain parasite species and microbiotal composition. Both unicellular Eimeria sp. and cestode Hymenolepis diminuta had an effect on diversity of gut microbiota. These parasite species also had negative associations with several bacterial orders. In comparison, closely related species H. nana did not have an effect on diversity, and it had positive associations with several bacterial orders. Our results reveal potential interactions between some, but not all, intestinal parasites and gut microbiota. While environmental variables explained almost half of the total variation, of which almost half could be explained by traits of parasites and microbiota, there were no clear patterns regarding mouse lemur individual variables explaining variation in the occurrence patterns of parasite and microbiota significantly. Our results provide new hypothesis for interactions between and among parasites and microbiota to be tested further with experimental studies.

Source connections

Explore related subjects

ecologyPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Aivelo, T., Norberg, A.. 2016-11-02. Parasite-microbiota interactions potentially affect intestinal communities in wild mammals. https://doi.org/10.1101/076059

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

Particle-based representation of phytoplankton modulates emergent coexistence and biogeography in a model ocean

Phytoplankton communities sustain the marine food web through primary productivity. These communities sustain a high diversity of species, all of which must draw from the same finite nutrient supply. The mechanisms driving phytoplankton biogeography and succession, as well as those enabling high diversity, remain incompletely understood. Here, we compare emerging patterns of biogeography, richness, and diversity in a size-structured phytoplankton community as it is advected and diffused within an idealized North Atlantic double-gyre circulation, using both Eulerian and Lagrangian (particle-based) modeling (PBM) frameworks. When a sufficient number of particles is modeled, the PBM, which resolves mortality at the particle level, produces stronger seasonal variability in biomass in the northern gyre and less stable and higher biomass in the southern gyre, while reproducing large-scale chlorophyll patterns observed by satellite. These contrasting dynamics are accompanied by distinct regional diversity patterns: local richness and diversity are generally higher in the PBM than in the Eulerian model in the northern gyre, with differences depending on the mortality threshold, whereas in the oligotrophic southern gyre, PBM local richness increases with particle number, while Eulerian richness is more sensitive to the mortality threshold. The PBM also produces a dynamic and emergent biogeographical structure that is more robust to the mortality threshold than the Eulerian model. Finally, Lagrangian variability in environmental conditions experienced by particles shows a stronger impact compared to the local Eulerian variability in the Northern gyre and stresses variable sensitivity to environmental histories. Together, these results suggest that the discrete representation of biomass fundamentally alters mortality, biogeography, and emergent coexistence patterns in model plankton ecosystems.

ecology↗
bioRxiv2026

Concrete waste as a source of calcium and alkalinity for coccolithophore cultivation: an experimental test of carbon dioxide removal and sequestration

Cultivation of calcifying microalgae has been proposed as a route to carbon dioxide removal (CDR), but biogenic calcification releases CO2 unless the calcium supplied also adds alkalinity. We used cultures of the coccolithophore Chrysotila sp to test whether hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2), supplied as a reagent or within ground waste concrete, can provide both calcium and alkalinity. In a 26-day factorial batch experiment, we monitored pH, nitrate and dissolved calcium. Calcite was quantified by thermogravimetric analysis. Nitrate concentration decreased and calcite accumulated in all algal treatments, indicating that lime or concrete did not inhibit growth or calcification. Lime and concrete raised culture pH significantly whereas the algal growth rate inferred from nitrate drawdown did not differ among treatments. Calcite production was 3.6-fold higher with lime than in seawater (4.5 vs. 1.2 mg L-1 d-1) and highly variable with concrete; lime and concrete cultures remained supersaturated with respect to calcite ({Omega} {approx} 7-10 vs. 0.2). Carbonate-system calculations indicate that the added alkalinity raises the equilibrium CO2 uptake capacity of the medium by ca. 3.4 mmol kg-1, offsetting CO2 released by calcification. These results provide proof of concept for coupling coccolithophore cultivation with concrete waste reuse for CDR.

ecology↗
bioRxiv2026

Intraspecific trait variation shapes macro-scale patterns ofniche breadth and range size

Morphological variation within species may promote adaptation across ecological and geographic space, perhaps reflecting evolutionary plasticity and adaptability. Based on this concept, species with greater intraspecific variation in morphological traits may be expected to occupy broader ecological niches and larger geographic ranges. However, even in the age of global trait datasets, intraspecific morphological variation remains poorly quantified at broad taxonomic and geographic scales, limiting our understanding of how trait flexibility shapes ecological and biogeographic patterns. Focusing on 161 species of bulbuls, a widespread avian family containing some of the most abundant bird species in the world, along with some of the rarest and most restricted in range, we conducted global-scale sampling of morphological traits. These included beak shape, tarsus length and wing length, associated with dietary niche, foraging strategy and dispersal, respectively. Using phylogenetic models, we tested whether ecological niche breadth and geographical range size are predicted by intraspecific morphological variation quantified from 8,251 museum specimens and 5,627 live captures. Our results demonstrate that morphological trait variation predicts both ecological niche breadth and geographic range size. Furthermore, widespread species exhibit greater morphological variation than restricted-range species even when comparisons are constrained to equivalent geographic extents, consistent with the hypothesis that intraspecific trait variation facilitates range expansion rather than simply accumulating as a consequence of occupying a larger range. These results identify intraspecific morphological variation as a potentially important, yet largely overlooked, predictor of ecological traits and biogeographic distributions in birds.

ecology↗