DNA extracted from faeces as a source of information about endemic reindeer from the High Arctic: detection of Shiga toxin genes and the analysis of reindeer male-specific DNA

Abstract

DNA extracted from faeces may be a valuable source of information about the animal itself, as well as its microflora. An isolated reindeer population from Svalbard (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) was tested for the presence of Shiga toxin encoding genes in the collected faecal samples. Even though the reindeers were not interacting with any other ruminants, which are considered to be a major reservoir of Shiga toxin containing bacteria, the stx1 gene was detected in 9 out of 10 tested samples, and the stx2 subtype c was found in five tested samples. This is an exceptionally high proportion, especially in the case of stx1, when compared to those observed in semi-domesticated or wild cervid populations in less remote locations. Distribution of the investigated genes in a small, local population indicates a different pattern of transmission, which seems to favour bacteria carrying the stx1 genes over those carrying the stx2 genes. The overall high percentage of animals with microbiota containing the stx genes suggests an important role of these genes in such an extreme environment for either hosts or their gut bacteria. Additionally, male-specific DNA found in the faeces was isolated in order to establish a given animal's sex. PCR based on two pairs of primers, DBY7 and DBY8 gave the expected length of product characteristic for Y chromosome. The results of molecular sexing were consistent with field observations.

Environmental DNA as a valuable and unique source of information about ecological networks in Arctic terrestrial ecosystems

“…Nonetheless, studies on Spitsbergen have shown no significant differences in the high taxonomic ranks of bacterial structure communities between areas intensively fertilized by the little auk colony, characterized by high levels of nutrients and organic matter biomasses, and the control area (Zielińska et al 2016c). In this case, different physicochemical features of the soil had no substantial impact on the general bacterial community structure, at least at higher taxonomic ranks.…”

“…The abundance of invertebrates, such as springtails (Collembola) or water bears (Tardigrada), that inhabit mosses, lichens, liverworts and soil, was found to be higher where soils had become ornithogenically enriched (Stempniewicz et al 2006, Zawierucha et al 2015, Zmudczyńska-Skarbek et al 2015. Also, numbers and biomasses of each microorganism taxon and the whole structure of microbial communities can fluctuate in different soil environments, as a result of the changing physicochemical features of the soil (Aislabie et al 2009, Grzesiak et al 2015, Zielińska et al 2016c).…”

“…In fact, however, the biodiversity, especially that of cold-resistant species of invertebrates and microorganisms, is surprisingly high (e.g. Coulson 2007, Danks D r a f t and Smith 2009, Chu et al 2010, Coulson et al 2014, Koyama et al 2014, Marusik et al 2016, Zielińska et al 2016c. Despite the extreme conditions, even glaciers can be a habitat for various microorganisms (Musilova et al 2015).…”