Organ-Specific Microbiomes of <i>Biomphalaria</i> Snails.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The microbiome is increasingly recognized to shape many aspects of its host biology and is a key determinant of health and disease. The microbiome may influence transmission of pathogens by their vectors, such as mosquitoes or aquatic snails. We previously sequenced the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene from the hemolymph (blood) of Biomphalaria spp. snails, vectors of the human blood fluke schistosome. We showed that snail hemolymph harbored an abundant and diverse microbiome. This microbiome is distinct from the water environment and can discriminate snail species and populations. As hemolymph bathes snail organs, we then investigated the heterogeneity of the microbiome in these organs.

Results

We dissected ten snails for each of two different spec

SUBMITTER: Carruthers LV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11195231 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature