Seasonal variation in the stomach microbiota of two sympatrically breeding Pygoscelis penguin species at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2024
Abstract
The gut microbiomes of Antarctic penguins are important for the fitness of the host birds and their chicks. The compositions of microbial communities in Antarctic penguin guts are strongly associated with the birds' diet, physiological adaptation and phylogeny. Whilst seasonal changes in food resources, distribution and population parameters of Antarctic penguins have been well addressed, little research is available on the stability or variability of penguin stomach microbiomes over time. Here, we focused on two Pygoscelis penguin species breeding sympatrically in the maritime Antarctic and analysed their stomach contents to assess whether penguin gut microbiota differed over three austral summer breeding seasons. We used a high- throughput DNA sequencing approach to study bacterial diversity in stomach regurgitates of Ad & eacute;lie ( Pygoscelis adeliae) ) and chinstrap ( Pygoscelis antarctica) ) penguins that have a similar foraging regime on Signy Island (South Orkney Islands). Our data revealed significant differences in bacterial alpha and beta diversity between the study seasons. We also identified bacterial genera that were significantly associated with specific breeding seasons, diet compositions, chick- rearing stages and sampling events. This study provides a baseline for establishing future monitoring of penguin gut microbiomes in a rapidly changing environment.
Keywords
Antarctic krill, diet, microbiome, penguins, sea ice, seasonal variation
Divisions
ocean,universiti
Funders
Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM),Universiti Malaya (UMRG: RP007-2012A),UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Publication Title
Microbiology-SGM
Volume
170
Issue
9
Publisher
Microbiology Society
Publisher Location
14-16 MEREDITH ST, LONDON, ENGLAND