How Host Dispersal Affects Microbiomes in Rafting Seaweed
Author Information
Author(s): W. S. Pearman, G. A. Duffy, R. O. Smith, K. I. Currie, N. J. Gemmell, S. E. Morales, C. I. Fraser
Primary Institution: University of Otago
Hypothesis
How do rare or sporadic dispersal events for non-migratory organisms affect the microbiomes of their hosts?
Conclusion
The study found that the microbiomes of rafting seaweed change significantly due to environmental factors, particularly sea surface temperature, rather than the duration of rafting.
Supporting Evidence
- Microbial communities on rafting seaweed change significantly due to environmental variability.
- Changes in microbial species richness are linked to sea surface temperature rather than rafting duration.
- Raft microbiomes show higher beta-diversity compared to non-raft microbiomes.
Takeaway
When seaweed floats away from the shore, the tiny living things on it change a lot, mostly because of the water temperature, not how long it floats.
Methodology
The study used oceanographic modelling, host genomic analyses, and microbiome sequencing to examine the microbiomes of two species of rafting macroalgae.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on two species of kelp and may not be generalizable to all macroalgae.
Participant Demographics
The study involved kelp rafts collected from various locations around New Zealand.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=3.4×10−11
Confidence Interval
90% confidence intervals of −0.21 and 0.07
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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