Tardigrade Community Microbiomes in North American Orchards Include Putative Endosymbionts and Plant Pathogens.

ABSTRACT: The microbiome of tardigrades, a phylum of microscopic animals best known for their ability to survive extreme conditions, is poorly studied worldwide and completely unknown in North America. An improved understanding of tardigrade-associated bacteria is particularly important because tardigrades have been shown to act as vectors of the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris in the laboratory. However, the potential role of tardigrades as reservoirs and vectors of phytopathogens has not been investigated further. This study analyzed the microbiota of tardigrades from six apple orchards in central Iowa, United States, and is the first analysis of the microbiota of North American tardigrades. It is also the first ever study of the tardigrade microbiome in an agricultural setting. We ut

SUBMITTER: Tibbs-Cortes LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9340075 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature