Plumage microorganism communities of tidal marsh sparrows
Alice M. Hotopp,
Brian J. Olsen,
Suzanne L. Ishaq,
Serita D. Frey,
Adrienne I. Kovach,
Michael T. Kinnison,
Franco N. Gigliotti,
Mackenzie R. Roeder,
Kristina M. Cammen
Affiliations
Alice M. Hotopp
School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA; Corresponding author
Brian J. Olsen
School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA; Maine Center for Genetics in the Environment, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
Suzanne L. Ishaq
School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
Serita D. Frey
Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
Adrienne I. Kovach
Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
Michael T. Kinnison
School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA; Maine Center for Genetics in the Environment, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
Franco N. Gigliotti
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
Mackenzie R. Roeder
School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
Kristina M. Cammen
School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA; Maine Center for Genetics in the Environment, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
Summary: Microorganism communities can shape host phenotype evolution but are often comprised of thousands of taxa with varied impact on hosts. Identification of taxa influencing host evolution relies on first describing microorganism communities and acquisition routes. Keratinolytic (keratin-degrading) microorganisms are hypothesized to be abundant in saltmarsh sediments and to contribute to plumage evolution in saltmarsh-adapted sparrows. Metabarcoding was used to describe plumage bacterial (16S rRNA) and fungal (ITS) communities in three sparrow species endemic to North America’s Atlantic coast saltmarshes. Results describe limited within-species variability and moderate host species-level patterns in microorganism diversity and community composition. A small percentage of overall microorganism diversity was comprised of potentially keratinolytic microorganisms, warranting further functional studies. Distinctions between plumage and saltmarsh sediment bacteria, but not fungal, communities were detected, suggesting multiple bacterial acquisition routes and/or vertebrate host specialization. This research lays groundwork for future testing of causal links between microorganisms and avian host evolution.
