Journal Article

A metagenomic study of intestinal microbial diversity in relation to feeding habits of surface and cave-dwelling Sinocyclocheilus species

Chen, H., Li, C., Liu, T., Chen, S. and Xiao, H.

Record Number:
4365
Year:
2019
Journal:
Microbial Ecology
Pages:
299-311
Volume:
79
PMCID:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-019-01409-4
Abstract:
Light is completely absent in cave habitats, causing a shortage or lack of autochthonous photosynthesis. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying the ability of organisms to adapt to the unique cave habitat is of great interest. We used high-throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene of intestinal microorganisms from 11 Sinocyclocheilus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) species, to explore the characteristics of intestinal microorganisms and the adaptive mechanisms of Sinocyclocheilus cavefish and surface fish.We found that the α-diversity and richness of the intestinal microbiome were much higher in cavefish than in surface fish. Principal coordinate analysis showed that cavefish and surface fish formed three clusters because of different dominant gut microorganisms which are generated by different habitats. Based on PICRUSt-predicted functions, harmful substance degradation pathways were much more common in cavefish intestinal microorganisms than in those from surface fish. The intestinal microbiota of surface fish group 1 had a higher capacity for carbohydrate metabolism, whereas protein and amino acid metabolism and digestive pathways were more abundant inmicroorganisms from the cavefish group and surface fish group 2. Combined analysis of the intestinal microbial composition and functional predictions further revealed the structures and functions of intestinal microbial communities in Sinocyclocheilus cave and surface species. Moreover, based on their habits and intestinal microbial composition and intestinal microbial functional predictions, we inferred that the three fish groups were all omnivorous; however, surface fish group 1 preferred feeding on plants, while surface fish group 2 and cavefish preferred meat. This study improves our understanding of mechanisms of adaptation in cave habitats and may contribute to the protection of these habitats from water pollution.
Times Cited:
34
Relevent Species:
Pseudosinocyclocheilus jinxiensis (Zheng, Xiu and Yang 2013) Zhang and Zhao 2016Sinocyclocheilus tianlinensis Zhou, Zhang and He 2004Sinocyclocheilus tileihornes Mao, Lu and Li 2003Sinocyclocheilus xunlensis Lan, Zhao and Zhang, 2004Sinocyclocheilus aquihornes Li and Yang 2007Sinocyclocheilus broadihornes Li and Mao 2007Sinocyclocheilus multipunctatus (Pellegrin 1931)Sinocyclocheilus luopingensis Li and Tao 2002Sinocyclocheilus jiuxuensis Li and Lan 2003Sinocyclocheilus donglanensis Zhao, Watanabe and Zhang 2006Sinocyclocheilus yishanensis Li and Lan 1992Sinocyclocheilus guanyangensis Chen, Peng and Zhang 2016Sinocyclocheilus lingyunensis Li, Xiao, Zan, Luo and Li 2000Sinocyclocheilus hugeibarbus Li and Ran in Li, Ran and Cheng 2003Sinocyclocheilus longibarbatus Wang and Chen 1989Sinocyclocheilus flexuosdorsalis Zhu and Zhu 2012Sinocyclocheilus brevibarbatus Zhao, Lan and Zhang 2009Sinocyclocheilus brevis Lan and Chen in Chen and Lan 1992Sinocyclocheilus longifinus Li 1996Sinocyclocheilus maculatus Li 2000Sinocyclocheilus anatirostris Lin and Luo 1986Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus Chen and Yang 1993Sinocyclocheilus cyphotergous (Dai 1988) Kottelat and Brehier 1999Sinocyclocheilus microphthalmus Li 1989Sinocyclocheilus altishoulderus (Li and Lan, 1992) Wang and Chen 1998Sinocyclocheilus convexiforeheadus Li, Yang and Li in Yang, Li and Li 2017Sinocyclocheilus bicornutus Wang and Liao 1997Sinocyclocheilus rhinocerous Li and Tao 1994Sinocyclocheilus angularis Zheng and Wang 1990Sinocyclocheilus anshuiensis Gan, Wu, Wei and Yang 2013Sinocyclocheilus luolouensis Lan in Lan, Gan, Wu and Yang 2013Sinocyclocheilus anophthalmus Chen and Chu 1988Sinocyclocheilus furcodorsalis Chen, Yang and Lan 1997Sinocyclocheilus zhenfengensis Liu, Deng, Ma, Xiao and Zhou 2018