Interplay between antipredator behavior, parasitism, and gut microbiome in wild stickleback populations.

ABSTRACT: The impact of microbial composition on stress-related behavior in aquatic organisms is poorly understood. This study explored the link between antipredator behavior, parasitism, and the gut microbiome in wild stickleback from two lakes: clear, spring-fed Galtaból and turbid, glacial-fed Þristikla. Behavioral analysis revealed differences between populations, with each exhibiting unique baseline behaviors. Microbiome analysis showed that a small proportion of its variation was explained by population, likely reflecting differences in lake environments. Only the marine genus Pseudoalteromonas abundance differed between populations. Our findings suggest that behavior and microbiome correlations may primarily reflect environmental adaptations and parasite status rather than direct gut-brain in

SUBMITTER: Varg JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12276351 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature