Macroecology of the host determines microecology of endobionts: protozoal faunas vary with wild ruminant feeding type and body mass

Abstract

Südekum, K H (2011). Macroecology of the host determines microecology of endobionts: protozoal faunas vary with wild ruminant feeding type and body mass. Originally published at: Clauss, M; Müller, K; Fickel, J; Streich, W J; Hatt, J M; Südekum, K H (2011). Macroecology of the host determines microecology of endobionts: protozoal faunas vary with wild ruminant feeding type and body mass. Journal of Zoology, 283(3):169-185. Macroecology of the host determines microecology of endobionts: protozoal faunas vary with wild ruminant feeding type and body mass Abstract Wild ruminants may differ in their protozoal fauna according to their feeding type, but a comprehensive evaluation of available data is lacking. Here, we evaluate the literature data available on the protozoal fauna (diversity, concentration and proportions of the major groups including Entodiniinae, Diplodiniinae and Isotrichidae) in relation to the natural diet (as percentage of grass in the natural diet, %grass) and body mass (BM) in 55 wild ruminant species. The effects of ruminant phylogeny were controlled for using phylogenies based on molecular data and phylogenetic generalized least-squares. Transferring results from domestic to wild ruminants, we hypothesized (1) a decrease in the proportion of Entodiniinae and an increase in that of Diplodiinae, with %grass in the natural diet; (2) a positive correlation between Diplodiinae and Isotrichidae; (3) no influence of BM on these protozoal groups. Based on the literature statements, we additionally expected that (4) protozoa diversity increased with %grass and BM and that (5) protozoa concentrations were independent of both BM but decreased with %grass. Only hypothesis 1 was confirmed completely. Isotrichidae and Diplodiinae only tended to correlate (P=0.08), but the proportion of Isotrichidae increased with BM. Protozoa diversity only increased with BM but not with %grass. Protozoa concentrations were very variable across the %grass range but in extreme grazers, only low concentrations were reported. The results indicate that diet determines protozoa concentrations and part of the taxonomic composition of the protozoal fauna, but not protozoal diversity. Yet, conditions determining the protozoal fauna have not been completely understood; in particular, conditions relating to the presence of Diplodiinae and Isotrichidae, which occur in opposing magnitudes in wild and domestic ruminants, respectively, remain to be investigated. The results indicate clear effects of the ecology of host species (BM, natural diet) on the ecology of their protozoal endobionts.

The Role of Condensed Tannins in the In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Kinetics in Ruminant Species: Feeding Type Involved?

“…The evolution of different feeding behaviors in ruminant species has required anatomic, physiologic and microbial gastrointestinal adaptations to their respective dietary niches [2,32]. In accordance with this hypothesis, Clauss et al [33] reported clear effects of the ecology of wild ruminants on the dynamics of their protozoal fauna. In this context, the interaction between tanniniferous plants and browsers likely resulted in greater tolerance to flavonoid compounds than in grazers.…”

Convergence of macroscopic tongue anatomy in ruminants and scaling relationships with body mass or tongue length

“… BM adjusted; # for phylogenetic analyses, Oryx beisa was assigned the position of Oryx leucoryx in phylogenetic tree used Sources: 1 Hofmann (unpublished), 2 (Schmuck, ), 3 (Markgraf, ), 4 (Erdoğan and Pérez, ), 5 (Shao et al, ), 6 (Lönnberg, ), 7 (Clauss et al, ), 8 (Clauss et al, ), 9 (Dittmann et al, ), 10 (Clauss et al, ), 11 (Zerbe et al, ), 12 (Gagnon and Chew, ).…”

Rumen microbial (meta)genomics and its application to ruminant production

“…The host and its microbiota are two major components that have co-evolved during millions of years, ensuring an increased fitness and increased chances of mutual survival. The composition of feed is another factor that profoundly influences the microbiota and host physiology (Ley et al, 2008b;Clauss et al, 2011). Herbivory is a successful strategy that has allowed mammals to expand the range of their habitat.…”