The Wildlife Gut Microbiome and Its Implication for Conservation Biology

171.7K

views

139

authors

22

articles

The Wildlife Gut Microbiome and Its Implication for Conservation Biology

171.7K

views

139

authors

22

articles

Editorial

21 June 2021

Editorial: The Wildlife Gut Microbiome and Its Implication for Conservation Biology

Lifeng Zhu

,

Jianjun Wang

and

Simon Bahrndorff

7,340 views

47 citations

Editors

3

Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine

Simon Bahrndorff

Aalborg University

Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Impact

Fetching...

About

The animal gut microbiota can be beneficial in many ways, including dietary supplementation, host immune function and behavior. This suggest that the microbiota play a pivotal role in host fitness and thus also in the conservation and management of species and populations. The microbiomes of animals affect host fitness, population characteristics (such as demography and health status), and adaptability. For example, the fitness effects of gut microbiomes on wild animals may have important implications for the conservation and management of species. Microbiome studies can also increase our understanding of non-native species invasion, host response to pathogens and chemical contamination, and host ability to tolerate climate change. For example, climate change has caused a decrease in the gut microbial alpha-diversity in some wild animal populations. There is thus a need to increase our knowledge of the importance of microbiomes in conservation biology.

Comprehensive surveys investigating the composition and function of the gut microbiomes of wild animals are ongoing. Original research articles, which demonstrate the potential connection between gut microbiome and conservation biology, are welcome in this topic. Subtopics include, but are not limited to, studies that examine:
(1) gut microbial composition and function after translocation of endangered species.
(2) the putative connection between native and invasive species’ gut microbiomes.
(3) the response of wild animal gut microbiome to climate change. Does global warming cause changes in wild animal gut microbial composition and function? What is the specific effect on the host surviving or environmental adaptation (positive or negative) by these changes?
(4) the animal gut microbiome response to the changes in the host habitat (e.g., fragmented and isolated).
(5) the potential connection between the symbiotic gut microbiome and host fitness in the wild.

The animal gut microbiota can be beneficial in many ways, including dietary supplementation, host immune function and behavior. This suggest that the microbiota play a pivotal role in host fitness and thus also in the conservation and management of species and populations. The microbiomes of animals affect host fitness, population characteristics (such as demography and health status), and adaptability. For example, the fitness effects of gut microbiomes on wild animals may have important implications for the conservation and management of species. Microbiome studies can also increase our understanding of non-native species invasion, host response to pathogens and chemical contamination, and host ability to tolerate climate change. For example, climate change has caused a decrease in the gut microbial alpha-diversity in some wild animal populations. There is thus a need to increase our knowledge of the importance of microbiomes in conservation biology.

Comprehensive surveys investigating the composition and function of the gut microbiomes of wild animals are ongoing. Original research articles, which demonstrate the potential connection between gut microbiome and conservation biology, are welcome in this topic. Subtopics include, but are not limited to, studies that examine:
(1) gut microbial composition and function after translocation of endangered species.
(2) the putative connection between native and invasive species’ gut microbiomes.
(3) the response of wild animal gut microbiome to climate change. Does global warming cause changes in wild animal gut microbial composition and function? What is the specific effect on the host surviving or environmental adaptation (positive or negative) by these changes?
(4) the animal gut microbiome response to the changes in the host habitat (e.g., fragmented and isolated).
(5) the potential connection between the symbiotic gut microbiome and host fitness in the wild.

Download ebook

Share

Editors

Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine

Simon Bahrndorff

Aalborg University

Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Impact

171,748 Total views

124,006 Article views

41,734 Article downloads

6,008 Topic views

Published In

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Microbiology

Microbial Symbioses

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Marine Science

Microbial Symbioses

About Frontiers Research Topics

With their unique mixes of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author.

Suggest a topic