University of Kentucky
Investigating the Effects of Pregnancy on the Freshwater Mussel Lasmigona costata's Gut and Gill Microbiomes
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Biology
Minor
Chemistry
Institution 23-24
University of Kentucky
KY House District #
4
KY Senate District #
18
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Dave Weisrock, PhD; Mary Foley
Department
Biology
Abstract
Microbiomes comprise a community of bacteria, archaea, and microscopic eukaryotic organisms living within a particular environment. Environmental factors, like pH and salinity, can select for specific microbial members; therefore, community composition can change across space and time. The gut microbiome of organismal hosts occurs within the gastrointestinal tract and assists host metabolic and digestive capabilities. Pregnancy is characterized by maternal adaptations necessary to create a hospitable environment for developing embryos. For example, in mammals, this includes changes in both gut and vaginal microbiomes. In invertebrates, vertical microbial transmission from mother to offspring has been documented but has not been studied widely across different species. Freshwater mussels are ecologically important invertebrates that carry their larvae on their gill tissue, and little is known about maternal microbiome changes. We investigated the bacterial community of the fluted-shell mussel (Lasmigona costata) across two locations within the Licking River system using 16S rDNA sequencing and microbiome analysis to answer two questions: 1) Are there changes in the bacterial community of gut or gill tissues in larval-rearing mussels compared to non-larval-rearing mussels? And 2) Are there differences in the bacterial community between tissue types or locations? We found bacterial membership differences between locations and between gut and gill tissues, but no differences were found between larval-rearing and non-larval-rearing mussels. These results suggest that the gill and gut microbiome do not play a role in maternal investment within L. costata. We note that samples were collected in the fall, while L. costata is known to carry larvae until spring, leaving open the potential for microbiome changes occurring further along in mussel larval rearing.
Investigating the Effects of Pregnancy on the Freshwater Mussel Lasmigona costata's Gut and Gill Microbiomes
Microbiomes comprise a community of bacteria, archaea, and microscopic eukaryotic organisms living within a particular environment. Environmental factors, like pH and salinity, can select for specific microbial members; therefore, community composition can change across space and time. The gut microbiome of organismal hosts occurs within the gastrointestinal tract and assists host metabolic and digestive capabilities. Pregnancy is characterized by maternal adaptations necessary to create a hospitable environment for developing embryos. For example, in mammals, this includes changes in both gut and vaginal microbiomes. In invertebrates, vertical microbial transmission from mother to offspring has been documented but has not been studied widely across different species. Freshwater mussels are ecologically important invertebrates that carry their larvae on their gill tissue, and little is known about maternal microbiome changes. We investigated the bacterial community of the fluted-shell mussel (Lasmigona costata) across two locations within the Licking River system using 16S rDNA sequencing and microbiome analysis to answer two questions: 1) Are there changes in the bacterial community of gut or gill tissues in larval-rearing mussels compared to non-larval-rearing mussels? And 2) Are there differences in the bacterial community between tissue types or locations? We found bacterial membership differences between locations and between gut and gill tissues, but no differences were found between larval-rearing and non-larval-rearing mussels. These results suggest that the gill and gut microbiome do not play a role in maternal investment within L. costata. We note that samples were collected in the fall, while L. costata is known to carry larvae until spring, leaving open the potential for microbiome changes occurring further along in mussel larval rearing.