Microbiome composition and turnover in the face of complex lifecycles and bottlenecks: insights through the study of dung beetles.

ABSTRACT: Microbiome composition and function often change throughout a host's life cycle, reflecting shifts in the ecological niche of the host. The mechanisms that establish these relationships are therefore important dimensions of host ecology and evolution; yet, their nature remains poorly understood. Here, we sought to investigate the microbial communities associated with the complex life cycle of the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus and the relative contributions of host life stage, sex, and environment in determining microbiome assembly. We find that O. taurus plays host to a diverse microbiota that undergo drastic community shifts throughout host development, influenced by host life stage, environmental microbiota, and, to a lesser degree, sex. Contrary to predictions, we found t

SUBMITTER: Jones JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11784073 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature