Abstract
Animal-associated microbiota is expected to impose crucial effects on the host’s fitness-related performance, including reproduction. Most research to date has focused on interactions between the host with its gut microbiota; however, there remain considerable gaps in knowledge regarding microbial consortia in other organs, including interspecific divergence, temporal stability, variation drivers, and their effects on the host. To fill these gaps, we examined oral and vaginal microbiota composition in four free-living mouse species of the genus Apodemus, each varying in the degree of female promiscuity. To assess temporal stability and microbiota resistance to environmental change, we exposed one of the species, Apodemus uralensis, to standardized captive conditions and analyzed longitudinal changes in its microbiota structure. Our results revealed the existence of a “core” oral microbiota that was not only shared among all four species but also persisted almost unchanged in captivity. On the other hand, vaginal microbiota appears to be more plastic in captive conditions and less species-specific in comparison with oral microbiota. This study is amongst the first to describe oral microbiota dynamics. Furthermore, the vaginal microbiota results are especially surprising in light of the well-known role of stable vaginal microbiota as a defense against pathogens. The results indicate the existence of diverse mechanisms that shape each microbiota. On the other hand, our data provides somewhat ambiguous support for the systematic effect of phylogeny and social system on both oral and vaginal microbiota structures.
Highlights
Symbiotic microbiota have adapted to the diverse conditions found within animal bodies and have a profound effect on many aspects of an individual’s life, including its h ealth[1] and fitness[2,3]
As oral contacts are frequently observed at both extremes (i.e., A. sylvaticus and A. uralensis) of these field mice[23,24], we focused our investigations on oral and vaginal lavage samples, with the expectation that there would be detectable differences in microbiota composition
We assessed whether the community structure of oral and vaginal microbiotas were correlated and, using differential abundance analysis, we searched for species-specific bacteria within the vaginal and oral microbiota
Summary
Symbiotic microbiota have adapted to the diverse conditions found within animal bodies and have a profound effect on many aspects of an individual’s life, including its h ealth[1] and fitness[2,3]. Eurasian field mice (genus Apodemus) comprise four common species in Central Europe, A. agrarius, A. flavicollis, A. sylvaticus, and A. uralensis. These have adopted varying mating strategies ranging from monogamy to a high level of p romiscuity[20]; interestingly, these strategies were followed by further adaptations for a promiscuous or monogamous life. As oral contacts are frequently observed at both extremes (i.e., A. sylvaticus and A. uralensis) of these field mice[23,24], we focused our investigations on oral and vaginal lavage samples, with the expectation that there would be detectable differences in microbiota composition. We present a novel approach for delimitation of core microbiota based on a combination of data from free-living populations and a population exposed to experimental shifts in environmental conditions induced by captivity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
