Abstract
There are many examples of symbiotic and reciprocal relationships in ecological systems; animal gut microbiome–host interactions are one such kind of bidirectional and complex relationship. Here, we utilized several approaches (16S rRNA gene sequencing, metagenomics, and transcriptomics) to explore potential gut microbiome–host interactions accompanying the development of gastrointestinal complexity and a dietary shift from metamorphosis to maturity in ornamented pygmy frogs (Microhyla fissipes). We identified the possible coevolution between a particular gut microbial group (increased putative fat-digesting Erysipelotrichaceae and chitin-digesting Bacteroides and Ruminococcaceae) and the host dietary shift [from herbivore to insectivore (high proportion of dietary chitin and fat)] during metamorphosis. We also found that the remodeling and complexity of the gastrointestinal system during metamorphosis might have a profound effect on the gut microbial community (decreasing facultative anaerobic Proteobacteria and increasing anaerobic Firmicutes) and its putative oxygen-related phenotypes. Moreover, a high proportion of chitin-digesting bacteria and increased carbohydrate metabolism by gut microbiomes at the climax of metamorphosis would help the frog’s nutrition and energy needs during metamorphosis and development. Considering the increased expression of particular host genes (e.g., chitinase) in juvenile frogs, we speculate that host plays an important role in amphibian metamorphosis, and their symbiotic gut microbiome may help in this process by providing the nutrition and energy needs. We provide this basic information for the amphibian conservation and managements.
Highlights
In ecology, there are many examples of symbiotic and reciprocal relationships (Smith and Douglas, 1987)
Significant changes in the gut microbiome and its related phenotypes were detected from metamorphosis to mature adult stages, which may reflect the putative relationship between the host and its symbiotic gut microbiome during the shift in diet and lifestyle and the remodeling of the gastrointestinal system
The significant increase of Erysipelotrichaceae may be caused by the shift from to the herbivorous diet to the insectivorous diet; these bacteria were maintained throughout the frog metamorphosis stages in this study
Summary
There are many examples of symbiotic and reciprocal relationships (e.g., algae and marine invertebrates, mycorrhiza, gut microbes and animal hosts, and prokaryotes and protists or animals) (Smith and Douglas, 1987). The host, in turn, shapes the gut microbiome (Yatsunenko et al, 2012; Gould et al, 2018). The gut microbiome displays changes in composition and function in response to dietary changes during human development and physiological variations (Yatsunenko et al, 2012). The changes in the gut microbial community under host development are a complex process involving many factors (e.g., gastrointestinal development, dietary changes, host genotype, geography, and environment) (Ley et al, 2008; Yatsunenko et al, 2012)
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