Insights of the dental calculi microbiome of pre-Columbian inhabitants from Puerto Rico.

Tasha M. Santiago-Rodriguez,Yvonne Narganes-Storde,Gary A. Toranzos,Raul J. Cano,Luis Chanlatte-Baik

doi:10.7717/peerj.3277

Tasha M. Santiago-Rodriguez, Yvonne Narganes-Storde + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3277

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Abstract

BackgroundThe study of ancient microorganisms in mineralized dental plaque or calculi is providing insights into microbial evolution, as well as lifestyles and disease states of extinct cultures; yet, little is still known about the oral microbial community structure and function of pre-Columbian Caribbean cultures. In the present study, we investigated the dental calculi microbiome and predicted function of one of these cultures, known as the Saladoid. The Saladoids were horticulturalists that emphasized root-crop production. Fruits, as well as small marine and terrestrial animals were also part of the Saladoid diet.MethodsDental calculi samples were recovered from the archaeological site of Sorcé, in the municipal island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, characterized using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing, and compared to the microbiome of previously characterized coprolites of the same culture, as well modern plaque, saliva and stool microbiomes available from the Human Microbiome Project.ResultsActinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes comprised the majority of the Saladoid dental calculi microbiome. The Saladoid dental calculi microbiome was distinct when compared to those of modern saliva and dental plaque, but showed the presence of common inhabitants of modern oral cavities including Streptococcus sp., Veillonella dispar and Rothia mucilaginosa. Cell motility, signal transduction and biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites may be unique features of the Saladoid microbiome.DiscussionResults suggest that the Saladoid dental calculi microbiome structure and function may possibly reflect a horticulturalist lifestyle and distinct dietary habits. Results also open the opportunity to further elucidate oral disease states in extinct Caribbean cultures and extinct indigenous cultures with similar lifestyles.

Highlights

Paleomicrobiology or the study of ancient microorganisms is providing insights into microbial evolution, the lifestyles of extinct cultures, as well as ancient diseases
It is hypothesized that the oral microbiome of the Saladoids may be distinct from modern individuals, possibly due to differences in culture, lifestyles, dietary habits, and lack of oral hygiene; the aims of the present study were to characterize the taxonomic and predicted functional categories of Saladoid dental calculi using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing, and compare them to the microbiomes of modern oral, gut and soil from the archaeological site of Sorcé
Fifteen dental calculi samples from the Saladoid culture were recovered from the archaeological site of Sorcé, Puerto Rico, and the DNA characterized using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Paleomicrobiology or the study of ancient microorganisms is providing insights into microbial evolution, the lifestyles of extinct cultures, as well as ancient diseases. A study characterizing the gut microbiome of hunter-gatherers from South America showed that it is different and more diverse compared to that of westernized cultures (Obregon-Tito et al, 2015). These studies indicate that modern, isolated societies have distinct microbiomes compared to modern westernized societies, and that these may better resemble the ancestral or original state of the human microbiome. The study of ancient microorganisms in mineralized dental plaque or calculi is providing insights into microbial evolution, as well as lifestyles and disease states of extinct cultures; yet, little is still known about the oral microbial community structure and function of pre-Columbian Caribbean cultures. Results suggest that the Saladoid dental calculi microbiome structure and function may possibly reflect a horticulturalist lifestyle and distinct dietary habits. Results open the opportunity to further elucidate oral disease states in extinct Caribbean cultures and extinct indigenous cultures with similar lifestyles

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