Meeting Abstract
The microbial ecosystem associated with fish guts is complex and dynamic, and the characteristics of this community are likely varied to support the occupation of a range of ecological niches by the host. For example, the composition of the microbial community in fish guts can differ in their ability to produce enzymes that aid in the digestion of host-specific diets. Additionally, environmental factors (e.g., temperature and salinity) are also likely to influence the composition of the microbial community in fishes. To further test these observations, we are examining the intestinal microbiota from two pairs of species from near-shore, temperate and near-shore, polar marine habitats. Spotted sea trout (Cynoscion nebulosus) and flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus), two species which utilize different trophic niches (carnivore and herbivore, respectively), were sampled from Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC. Additionally, two Antarctic notothenioid fishes (blackfin icefish – Chaenocephalus aceratus and black rockcod – Notothenia coriiceps) were sampled that represent unique trophic levels in near-shore habitats of the thermally stable Southern Ocean. The metagenome of intestinal samples were determined by sequencing 16s rDNA. Sequences were compared between species within a habitat and between habitats using Principal Component Analysis. Our data reveal that microbial communities can be distinguished by fish species and also by habitat, indicating that both abiotic and biotic factors influence the composition of the gut microbiota. Future work will be required to determine the functional consequences of these varying microbial communities for the fishes. Work supported by NSF Office of Polar Programs ANT-1019305 (JMG), Presbyterian College Faculty Development Committee (JMG), and PGRP NSF 11-500 (SGG).
