Interspecific variations in the gastrointestinal microbiota in penguins
- Dewar, Meagan, Arnould, John, Dann, Peter, Trathan, Phil, Groscolas, Rene, Smith, Stuart
- Authors: Dewar, Meagan , Arnould, John , Dann, Peter , Trathan, Phil , Groscolas, Rene , Smith, Stuart
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: MicrobiologyOpen Vol. 2, no. 1 (2013), p. 195-204
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- Description: Despite the enormous amount of data available on the importance of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota in vertebrate (especially mammals), information on the GI microbiota of seabirds remains incomplete. As with many seabirds, penguins have a unique digestive physiology that enables them to store large reserves of adipose tissue, protein, and lipids. This study used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing to characterize the interspecific variations of the GI microbiota of four penguin species: the king, gentoo, macaroni, and little penguin. The qPCR results indicated that there were significant differences in the abundance of the major phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroides, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. A total of 132,340, 18,336, 6324, and 4826 near full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences were amplified from fecal samples collected from king, gentoo, macaroni, and little penguins, respectively. A total of 13 phyla were identified with Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Fusobacteria dominating the composition; however, there were major differences in the relative abundance of the phyla. In addition, this study documented the presence of known human pathogens, such as Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Prevotella, Veillonella, Erysipelotrichaceae, Neisseria, and Mycoplasma. However, their role in disease in penguins remains unknown. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide an in-depth investigation of the GI microbiota of penguins.
- Authors: Dewar, Meagan , Arnould, John , Dann, Peter , Trathan, Phil , Groscolas, Rene , Smith, Stuart
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: MicrobiologyOpen Vol. 2, no. 1 (2013), p. 195-204
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite the enormous amount of data available on the importance of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota in vertebrate (especially mammals), information on the GI microbiota of seabirds remains incomplete. As with many seabirds, penguins have a unique digestive physiology that enables them to store large reserves of adipose tissue, protein, and lipids. This study used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing to characterize the interspecific variations of the GI microbiota of four penguin species: the king, gentoo, macaroni, and little penguin. The qPCR results indicated that there were significant differences in the abundance of the major phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroides, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. A total of 132,340, 18,336, 6324, and 4826 near full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences were amplified from fecal samples collected from king, gentoo, macaroni, and little penguins, respectively. A total of 13 phyla were identified with Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Fusobacteria dominating the composition; however, there were major differences in the relative abundance of the phyla. In addition, this study documented the presence of known human pathogens, such as Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Prevotella, Veillonella, Erysipelotrichaceae, Neisseria, and Mycoplasma. However, their role in disease in penguins remains unknown. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide an in-depth investigation of the GI microbiota of penguins.
Influence of fasting during moult on the faecal microbiota of penguins
- Dewar, Meagan, Arnould, John, Krause, Lutz, Trathan, Phil, Dann, Peter, Smith, Stuart
- Authors: Dewar, Meagan , Arnould, John , Krause, Lutz , Trathan, Phil , Dann, Peter , Smith, Stuart
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 9, no. 6 (2014), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Many seabirds including penguins are adapted to long periods of fasting, particularly during parts of the reproductive cycle and during moult. However, the influence of fasting on the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota has not been investigated in seabirds. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the microbial composition and diversity of the GI microbiota of fasting little (Eudyptula minor) and king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) penguins during early and late moult. The results from this study indicated that there was little change in the abundance of the major phyla during moult, except for a significant increase in the level of Proteobacteria in king penguins. In king penguins the abundance of Fusobacteria increases from 1.73% during early moult to 33.6% by late moult, whilst the abundance of Proteobacteria (35.7% to 17.2%) and Bacteroidetes (19.5% to 11%) decrease from early to late moult. In little penguins, a decrease in the abundances of Firmicutes (44% to 29%) and an increase in the abundance of Bacteroidetes (11% to 20%) were observed from early to late moult respectively. The results from this study indicate that the microbial composition of both king and little penguins alters during fasting. However, it appears that the microbial composition of king penguins is more affected by fasting than little penguins with the length of fast the most probable cause for this difference.
- Authors: Dewar, Meagan , Arnould, John , Krause, Lutz , Trathan, Phil , Dann, Peter , Smith, Stuart
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 9, no. 6 (2014), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Many seabirds including penguins are adapted to long periods of fasting, particularly during parts of the reproductive cycle and during moult. However, the influence of fasting on the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota has not been investigated in seabirds. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the microbial composition and diversity of the GI microbiota of fasting little (Eudyptula minor) and king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) penguins during early and late moult. The results from this study indicated that there was little change in the abundance of the major phyla during moult, except for a significant increase in the level of Proteobacteria in king penguins. In king penguins the abundance of Fusobacteria increases from 1.73% during early moult to 33.6% by late moult, whilst the abundance of Proteobacteria (35.7% to 17.2%) and Bacteroidetes (19.5% to 11%) decrease from early to late moult. In little penguins, a decrease in the abundances of Firmicutes (44% to 29%) and an increase in the abundance of Bacteroidetes (11% to 20%) were observed from early to late moult respectively. The results from this study indicate that the microbial composition of both king and little penguins alters during fasting. However, it appears that the microbial composition of king penguins is more affected by fasting than little penguins with the length of fast the most probable cause for this difference.
Conventional and molecular analysis of the diet of gentoo penguins: contributions to assess scats for non-invasive penguin diet monitoring
- Xavier, Jose, Cherel, Yves, Medeiros, Renata, Velez, Nadja, Dewar, Meagan, Ratcliffe, Norman, Carreiro, Ana, Trathan, Phil
- Authors: Xavier, Jose , Cherel, Yves , Medeiros, Renata , Velez, Nadja , Dewar, Meagan , Ratcliffe, Norman , Carreiro, Ana , Trathan, Phil
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Polar Biology Vol. 41, no. 11 (2018), p. 2275-2287
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- Description: There is a growing search for less invasive methods while studying the diet of Antarctic animals in the wild. Therefore, we compared the diet of gentoo penguins from stomach contents (i.e. through visual identification of prey remains) and scats (i.e. faeces), and further compared prey DNA assay in fresh and old scats. Prey remains identified visually in stomach contents and scats were broadly comparable: the crustaceans and fish were the most important components, with Themisto gaudichaudii clearly being the most frequent and numerous prey species in both sampling methods. By mass, differences in species frequency were observed in stomach contents (Parachaenichthys georgianus) and scats (Champsocephalus gunnari), with the former fish species absent in scats. Differences were detected in the most frequent prey (T. gaudichaudii and Euphausia superba) and in various fish species, most with bigger sizes in scats. Allometric equations to estimate most crustacean’s sizes (i.e. relationships between carapace and mass/total length) are needed. For DNA studies, when comparing DNA from fresh and old scats, both provided similar results that, in general, were also similar to the visual analysis. In order to use penguin scats (along with the use of DNA analyses) for monitoring purposes, allometric equations to estimate mass and size of prey (most crustaceans) and better designed species-specific primers are needed for targeting key prey species (e.g. Euphausia superba, T. gaudichaudii). These DNA methodologies can complement other methods (i.e. visual analyses and stomach contents analyses) in monitoring programs of penguins.
- Authors: Xavier, Jose , Cherel, Yves , Medeiros, Renata , Velez, Nadja , Dewar, Meagan , Ratcliffe, Norman , Carreiro, Ana , Trathan, Phil
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Polar Biology Vol. 41, no. 11 (2018), p. 2275-2287
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: There is a growing search for less invasive methods while studying the diet of Antarctic animals in the wild. Therefore, we compared the diet of gentoo penguins from stomach contents (i.e. through visual identification of prey remains) and scats (i.e. faeces), and further compared prey DNA assay in fresh and old scats. Prey remains identified visually in stomach contents and scats were broadly comparable: the crustaceans and fish were the most important components, with Themisto gaudichaudii clearly being the most frequent and numerous prey species in both sampling methods. By mass, differences in species frequency were observed in stomach contents (Parachaenichthys georgianus) and scats (Champsocephalus gunnari), with the former fish species absent in scats. Differences were detected in the most frequent prey (T. gaudichaudii and Euphausia superba) and in various fish species, most with bigger sizes in scats. Allometric equations to estimate most crustacean’s sizes (i.e. relationships between carapace and mass/total length) are needed. For DNA studies, when comparing DNA from fresh and old scats, both provided similar results that, in general, were also similar to the visual analysis. In order to use penguin scats (along with the use of DNA analyses) for monitoring purposes, allometric equations to estimate mass and size of prey (most crustaceans) and better designed species-specific primers are needed for targeting key prey species (e.g. Euphausia superba, T. gaudichaudii). These DNA methodologies can complement other methods (i.e. visual analyses and stomach contents analyses) in monitoring programs of penguins.
Happy feet in a hostile world? The future of penguins depends on proactive management of current and expected threats
- Ropert-Coudert, Yan, Chiaradia, Andre, Ainley, David, Barbosa, Andres, Boersma, Dee, Brasso, Rebecka, Dewar, Meagan, Ellenberg, Ursula, García-Borboroglu, Pablo, Emmerson, Loulse, Hickcox, Rachel, Jenouvrier, Stephanie, Kato, Akiko, McIntosh, Rebecca, Lewis, Phoebe, Ramírez, Francisco, Ruoppolo, Valeria, Ryan, Peter, Seddon, Philip, Sherley, Richard, Vanstreels, Ralph, Waller, Lauren, Woehler, Eric, Trathan, Phil
- Authors: Ropert-Coudert, Yan , Chiaradia, Andre , Ainley, David , Barbosa, Andres , Boersma, Dee , Brasso, Rebecka , Dewar, Meagan , Ellenberg, Ursula , García-Borboroglu, Pablo , Emmerson, Loulse , Hickcox, Rachel , Jenouvrier, Stephanie , Kato, Akiko , McIntosh, Rebecca , Lewis, Phoebe , Ramírez, Francisco , Ruoppolo, Valeria , Ryan, Peter , Seddon, Philip , Sherley, Richard , Vanstreels, Ralph , Waller, Lauren , Woehler, Eric , Trathan, Phil
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Marine Science Vol. 6, no. May (2019), p. 1-23
- Full Text:
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- Description: Penguins face a wide range of threats. Most observed population changes have been negative and have happened over the last 60 years. Today, populations of 11 penguin species are decreasing. Here we present a review that synthesizes details of threats faced by the world's 18 species of penguins. We discuss alterations to their environment at both breeding sites on land and at sea where they forage. The major drivers of change appear to be climate, and food web alterations by marine fisheries. In addition, we also consider other critical and/or emerging threats, namely human disturbance near nesting sites, pollution due to oil, plastics and chemicals such as mercury and persistent organic compounds. Finally, we assess the importance of emerging pathogens and diseases on the health of penguins. We suggest that in the context of climate change, habitat degradation, introduced exotic species and resource competition with fisheries, successful conservation outcomes will require new and unprecedented levels of science and advocacy. Successful conservation stories of penguin species across their geographical range have occurred where there has been concerted effort across local, national and international boundaries to implement effective conservation planning.
- Authors: Ropert-Coudert, Yan , Chiaradia, Andre , Ainley, David , Barbosa, Andres , Boersma, Dee , Brasso, Rebecka , Dewar, Meagan , Ellenberg, Ursula , García-Borboroglu, Pablo , Emmerson, Loulse , Hickcox, Rachel , Jenouvrier, Stephanie , Kato, Akiko , McIntosh, Rebecca , Lewis, Phoebe , Ramírez, Francisco , Ruoppolo, Valeria , Ryan, Peter , Seddon, Philip , Sherley, Richard , Vanstreels, Ralph , Waller, Lauren , Woehler, Eric , Trathan, Phil
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Marine Science Vol. 6, no. May (2019), p. 1-23
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Penguins face a wide range of threats. Most observed population changes have been negative and have happened over the last 60 years. Today, populations of 11 penguin species are decreasing. Here we present a review that synthesizes details of threats faced by the world's 18 species of penguins. We discuss alterations to their environment at both breeding sites on land and at sea where they forage. The major drivers of change appear to be climate, and food web alterations by marine fisheries. In addition, we also consider other critical and/or emerging threats, namely human disturbance near nesting sites, pollution due to oil, plastics and chemicals such as mercury and persistent organic compounds. Finally, we assess the importance of emerging pathogens and diseases on the health of penguins. We suggest that in the context of climate change, habitat degradation, introduced exotic species and resource competition with fisheries, successful conservation outcomes will require new and unprecedented levels of science and advocacy. Successful conservation stories of penguin species across their geographical range have occurred where there has been concerted effort across local, national and international boundaries to implement effective conservation planning.
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