THE EFFECTS OF GUT MICROBIOME ON FUNGAL INFECTION IN DAPHNIA DENTIFERA

The host-associated gut microbiome communities are involved in a wide range of processes within the host, from metabolic regulation and developmental signaling to behavioral and social interactions. These symbionts aid the host through a range of functions, such as digestion, nutrient acquisition, and regulating the host immune system. Disrupting the host’s microbiome, may alter susceptibility to pathogens and negatively impact the host’s life history traits. To understand the effects of the gut microbiome in host-parasite exposure, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted with the parthenogenetic species Daphnia dentifera and the pathogenic fungus Astrolozyma monospora (formerly known as Metschnikowia bicuspidata). A transmission assay was performed in which two genotypes of Daphnia (Clear-1 and IL-16) were exposed to the fungus after either being raised in the presence  (microbiome-reduced) or absence (control) of antibiotics. Then, we conducted a microbiome re-exposure experiment with Daphnia to rear healthy, unhealthy, and microbiome-reduced individuals, who were then exposed to the fungus. Infection rate and life-history traits were recorded to understand the role of the host’s gut-microbiome on host fitness and susceptibility to infection. We observed that infection rate between the two treatments indicated that “microbiome-reduced” Daphnia were less susceptible to the fungus. The 16S rRNA data showed differences in microbial composition and relative abundance of the microbial species in both treatments. These studies will provide more understanding of the factors that influence pathogenic transmission rate and the role of the host’s microbiome in these interactions.

Presentation Preference: Standard Oral (12 Minutes)

Primary Presenter: Michelle Villalobos, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (mvill31@illinois.edu)

Authors:

Michelle Villalobos, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign  (mvill31@illinois.edu)