Project description:Animals often exhibit distinct microbial communities when maintained in captivity as compared to when in the wild. Such differentiation may be significant in headstart and reintroduction programs where individuals spend some time in captivity before release into native habitats. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we (i) assessed differences in gut microbial communities between captive and wild Fijian crested iguanas (Brachylophus vitiensis) and (ii) resampled gut microbiota in captive iguanas released onto a native island to monitor microbiome restructuring in the wild. We used both cloacal swabs and fecal samples to further increase our understanding of gut microbial ecology in this IUCN Critically Endangered species. We found significant differentiation in gut microbial community composition and structure between captive and wild iguanas in both sampling schemes. Approximately two months postrelease, microbial communities in cloacal samples from formerly captive iguanas closely resembled wild counterparts. Interestingly, microbial communities in fecal samples from these individuals remained significantly distinct from wild conspecifics. Our results indicate that captive upbringings can lead to differences in microbial assemblages in headstart iguanas as compared to wild individuals even after host reintroduction into native conditions. This investigation highlights the necessity of continuous monitoring of reintroduced animals in the wild to ensure successful acclimatization and release.
Project description:Invasive ants are usually harmful taxa and are considered a potential problem to biodiversity due to their negative ecological impacts, as they can outcompete native ant species. Ten such species are reported in Brazil. In this study, we report for the first time the Asian tramp ant Technomyrmex vitiensis Mann, 1921 at the municipality of Oiapoque, in the Brazilian Amazon. The colony studied contained workers, intercastes, males and larvae, which provided sperm structure and cytogenetic data. Considering the unprecedented report of the genus Technomyrmex as well as the recent finding of the primarily Australian genus Leptomyrmex in Brazil, we present a revised key for the workers of Brazilian Dolichoderinae genera. Technomyrmex vitiensis presented 2n = 16 chromosomes; all metacentrics and comparative cytogenetics on the genus is provided. A single rDNA 18S site located in intrachromosomal region was observed in this species, which is a common trait in ants. The spermatozoa of T. vitiensis had a filiform shape, with 78.13 (± 1.96) μm of total length and 11.43 (± 0.51) μm of nucleus length. Total and nucleus sperm size length fit with the known variation observed in other ant species. The occurrence of T. vitiensis in Brazil is probably a result of traffic between French Guiana and the Amapá state. Cytogenetics and sperm structures of T. vitiensis enhance the biological knowledge of this tramp species. We highlight the scarce knowledge of ant diversity in the state of Amapá and the consequences that the presence of this species may have in this region.
Project description:Ten representative actinobacterial strains isolated from marine sediments collected worldwide were studied to determine their taxonomic status. The strains were previously identified as members of the genus Salinispora and shared >99 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the three currently recognized Salinispora species. Comparative genomic analyses resulted in the delineation of six new species based on average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values below 95 and 70 %, respectively. The species status of the six new groups was supported by a core-genome phylogeny reconstructed from 2106 orthologs detected in 118 publicly available Salinispora genomes. Chemotaxonomic and physiological studies were used to complete the phenotypic characterization of the strains. The fatty acid profiles contained the major components iso-C16 : 0, C15 : 0, iso-17 : 0 and anteiso C17 : 0. Galactose and xylose were common in all whole-sugar patterns but differences were found between the six groups of strains. Polar lipid compositions were also unique for each species. Distinguishable physiological and biochemical characteristics were also recorded. The names proposed are Salinispora cortesiana sp. nov., CNY-202T (=DSM 108615T=CECT 9739T); Salinispora fenicalii sp. nov., CNT-569T (=DSM 108614T=CECT 9740T); Salinispora goodfellowii sp. nov., CNY-666T (=DSM 108616T=CECT 9738T); Salinispora mooreana sp. nov., CNT-150T (=DSM 45549T=CECT 9741T); Salinispora oceanensis sp. nov., CNT-138T (=DSM 45547T=CECT 9742T); and Salinispora vitiensis sp. nov., CNT-148T (=DSM 45548T=CECT 9743T).
