A feeding induced switch from a variable to a homogenous state of the earthworm gut microbiota within a host population.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The distribution pattern of the earthworm gut microbiota at the host population level is of fundamental importance to understand host-microbiota interactions. Our current understanding of these interactions is very limited. Since feeding represents a main perturbation of the gut microbiota, we determined the effect of a single dose of feed on the microbiota associated with an earthworm population in a simulated microenvironment.

Methodology

Earthworms were sampled 0, 1 and 7 days after feeding. We determined the overall composition of the earthworm-associated microbiota by 16S rRNA gene cloning and sequencing. Based on the 16S rRNA gene data we constructed quantitative PCR's (Q-PCR) for the seven most dominating bacterial groups.

Principal findings

Q-PCR re

SUBMITTER: Rudi K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2759579 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature