Microbial Assemblage Dynamics Within the American Alligator Nesting Ecosystem: a Comparative Approach Across Ecological Scales

Egg microbiota is the starting point of hatchling gut microbiota in the endangered yellow‐spotted Amazon river turtle

“…Our results are in agreement with the “nidobiome” concept, which aims to elucidate the interactions between parents, nest and offspring in shaping initial microbial assembly, especially in species without parental incubation (Campos‐Cerda & Bohannan, 2020). Consistent with our results, a recent study of the various nesting ecosystems of American alligators ( A. mississippiensis ) suggests that bacterial assemblages in the nest environment colonize eggshells during incubation (Grajal‐Puche et al, 2020). However, the mentioned study focuses on the differences of the bacterial assemblages of the nesting ecosystems, rather than on the influence of the nest environment in egg microbial assemblages.…”

“…Consistent with our results, a recent study of the various nesting ecosystems of American alligators (A. mississippiensis) suggests that bacterial assemblages in the nest environment colonize eggshells during incubation (Grajal-Puche et al, 2020). However, the mentioned study focuses on the differences of the bacterial assemblages of the nesting ecosystems, rather than on the influence of the nest environment in egg microbial assemblages.…”

“…Furthermore, the establishment of gut microbial communities during development in oviparous vertebrates might be mediated through interactions with the environment (Bahrndorff et al, 2016; Videvall et al, 2019). Indeed, studies on the nest environment of the American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis ) (Grajal‐Puche et al, 2020) suggest that nest microbiota assemblages colonize eggshells, with the possibility that the nest environment influences the egg microbiota. Moreover, in zebra finches (Chen et al, 2020) and chickens (Maki et al, 2020), the nest environment is of great importance in influencing microbial colonization during the early stages of development.…”