Global warming responses of gut microbiota in moose (Alces alces) populations with different dispersal patterns

Abstract

While dispersal is the basis of inter‐population connectivity, it is difficult to directly observe. New molecular techniques provide ways of studying the intensity and direction of dispersal among populations through quantifying gene flow. When herbivores disperse their gut microbes travel with the host, and gut microbiota is known to play an important role in host health. However, the current understanding of the driving mechanism between moose dispersal patterns and gut microbial structure is vague. Therefore, when we observe the effects of climate warming on gene flow, it is important to understand the ecological mechanisms that affect the gut microbiota. We applied integrative methods from molecular biology, nutritional ecology and microbiomics to quantify dispersal patterns of moose populations in northeast China and explore the ecological mechanisms driving gut microbe–host associations. We found that moose populations in northeast China are undergoing two dispersal patterns while retreating in a northwesterly direction. Dispersing and isolated moose populations differed in their gut microbial composition and frequency of functional types that relate to digestion and diet composition. We also found that the environmental variables related to the moose gut microbial communities also changed with different dispersal patterns. The gut microbiota of isolated moose populations was only related to ambient temperature, whereas the microbiota in dispersing moose populations was related to longitude and diet protein content. We expect that the differences in the taxonomic and functional structure of gut microbiota relating to digestion are adaptive. Consequently, this study highlights that special attention should be placed on the management of isolated moose populations, and ecological corridors or translocation of moose individuals may be needed to allow persistence in the face of global warming; doing this will likely improve the adaptability of gut microbiota.

The gut microbial differences between pre-released and wild red deer: Firmicutes abundance may affect wild adaptation after release

“…Increasing the intake of plant fiber and carbohydrates could promote maintaining high levels of Firmicutes in the gut ( Sun et al, 2022 ). In studies of the gut microbes of cervids such as roe deer ( Capreolus pygargus ) and moose ( Alces alces ), it has also been pointed out that the high abundance of Firmicutes might be related to adaptation to high-fiber diets ( Chen et al, 2022 ; Yuan et al, 2022 ). Therefore, the difference of plant fiber and carbohydrate content in feeding was the main reason for the difference in Firmicutes between pre-released and wild red deer.…”

Warming effects on lizard gut microbiome depend on habitat connectivity

“…Host dispersal may thus influence the way the gut microbiome responds to climate change. For example, a regional-scale study of the gut microbiome in isolated versus dispersing moose populations shows that only isolated populations are influenced by local temperatures, with potential implications in terms of metabolic adaptations [38]. However, such in natura studies do not allow to disentangle effects of potential confounding factors covarying with climate and habitat isolation.…”

Comparison of gut microbiota between immigrant and native populations of the Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris) living in mining area

“…Conversely, wildlife will lose their native microbiome and reduce the alpha diversity of gut microbiome when moving to captivity ( Alberdi et al, 2021 ; Dallas and Warne, 2022 ). Forced migrations caused by climate warming often result in gut microbiota variations due to diet changes ( Chen et al, 2022a , b ). The illegal trade of animals usually ends in captivities or the release of wildlife to new habitats ( Ni et al, 2020 ).…”