biostudies-literatureZuo CNational Key R&D Program of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of China918https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10967425biostudies-literatureUnknown14(6)Biological invasion is a primary direct driver of biodiversity loss. Recently, owing to exploitation competition with an invasive mussel, <i>Mytella strigata</i> (Hanley, 1843), there has been a drastic decrease in the population of native <i>Perna viridis</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) in several western Pacific regions. In the present study, intestinal microbiota, metabolome, and key digestive enzyme activities were compared between the two competing mussels, <i>M. strigata</i> and <i>P. viridis</i>, to elucidate the differences in intestinal microbiota and metabolic points. We observed that <i>Proteobacteria</i>, <i>Firmicutes</i>, and <i>Bacteroidota</i> were the three predominant bacterial phyla in the two species. The relative abundance of <i>Bacteroidota</i> related to carbohydrate-degrading ability was significantly higher in <i>M. strigata</i> than in <i>P. viridis</i>. Compared to <i>P. viridis</i>, different metabolites including maltose and trehalose were enriched in <i>M. strigata</i>. Lastly, higher carbohydrases activities of alpha-amylase, cellulase, and xylanase were observed in <i>M. strigata</i> than in <i>P. viridis</i>. These differences might play an important role in the adaptation process of <i>M. strigata</i> to the new environment. This study provides important basic knowledge for investigating the competition between <i>M. strigata</i> and <i>P. viridis</i> in terms of food resources utilization.Animals : an open access journal from MDPIIntegrated Metagenomic and Metabolomic Analysis on Two Competing Mussels, <i>Mytella strigata</i> and <i>Perna viridis</i>, in China.PMC109674252022YFD240120442006080Ma PZhu YZhang ZMa XYan SZuo CfalseIntegrated Metagenomic and Metabolomic Analysis on Two Competing Mussels, <i>Mytella strigata</i> and <i>Perna viridis</i>, in China.Biological invasion is a primary direct driver of biodiversity loss. Recently, owing to exploitation competition with an invasive mussel, <i>Mytella strigata</i> (Hanley, 1843), there has been a drastic decrease in the population of native <i>Perna viridis</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) in several western Pacific regions. In the present study, intestinal microbiota, metabolome, and key digestive enzyme activities were compared between the two competing mussels, <i>M. strigata</i> and <i>P. viridis</i>, to elucidate the differences in intestinal microbiota and metabolic points. We observed that <i>Proteobacteria</i>, <i>Firmicutes</i>, and <i>Bacteroidota</i> were the three predominant bacterial phyla in the two species. The relative abundance of <i>Bacteroidota</i> related to carbohydrate-degrading ability was significantly higher in <i>M. strigata</i> than in <i>P. viridis</i>. Compared to <i>P. viridis</i>, different metabolites including maltose and trehalose were enriched in <i>M. strigata</i>. Lastly, higher carbohydrases activities of alpha-amylase, cellulase, and xylanase were observed in <i>M. strigata</i> than in <i>P. viridis</i>. These differences might play an important role in the adaptation process of <i>M. strigata</i> to the new environment. This study provides important basic knowledge for investigating the competition between <i>M. strigata</i> and <i>P. viridis</i> in terms of food resources utilization.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar2025-04-04T23:52:57.409Z2025-04-04T23:52:57.409ZS-EPMC109674253854001510.3390/ani14060918