Bat Microbial Communities Change with Seasons but Stay Functionally Similar
Author Information
Author(s): Matthew Grisnik, Donald M. Walker
Primary Institution: Middle Tennessee State University
Hypothesis
At the community level, there will be turnover in taxonomic structure but functional redundancy across seasons.
Conclusion
The bat cutaneous microbial assemblage is seasonally taxonomically dynamic but functionally redundant.
Supporting Evidence
- Bacterial taxa within bat cutaneous microbial assemblages have antifungal capabilities against pathogens.
- There was almost complete taxonomic turnover between winter and summer bat microbial assemblages.
- Functional redundancy was observed at finer scales with no differences in gene abundance across seasons.
Takeaway
Bats have different types of germs on their skin in winter and summer, but these germs do the same jobs for the bats no matter the season.
Methodology
Swabs from 57 individual adult bats were collected across 26 sites in Tennessee, and microbial DNA was extracted and sequenced.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in sample collection due to low catch rates and selection of samples that were pathogen negative.
Limitations
The study's sample sizes were small for some seasons, and geographic sampling was not balanced.
Participant Demographics
Adult Eptesicus fuscus bats sampled across different seasons and sites in Tennessee.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website