Environment and Co-occurring Native Mussel Species, but Not Host Genetics, Impact the Microbiome of a Freshwater Invasive Species (Corbicula fluminea)

Authors

Marlène Chiarello, University of Mississippi
Jamie R. Bucholz, The University of Alabama
Mark McCauley, University of Mississippi
Stephanie N. Vaughn, University of Mississippi
Garrett W. Hopper, The University of Alabama
Irene Sánchez González, The University of Alabama
Carla L. Atkinson, The University of Alabama
Jeffrey D. Lozier, The University of Alabama
Colin R. Jackson, University of Mississippi

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-4-2022

Abstract

The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (Family: Cyneridae) has aggressively invaded freshwater habitats worldwide, resulting in dramatic ecological changes and declines of native bivalves such as freshwater mussels (Family: Unionidae), one of the most imperiled faunal groups. Despite increases in our knowledge of invasive C. fluminea biology, little is known of how intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including co-occurring native species, influence its microbiome. We investigated the gut bacterial microbiome across genetically differentiated populations of C. fluminea in the Tennessee and Mobile River Basins in the Southeastern United States and compared them to those of six co-occurring species of native freshwater mussels. The gut microbiome of C. fluminea was diverse, differed with environmental conditions and varied spatially among rivers, but was unrelated to host genetic variation. Microbial source tracking suggested that the gut microbiome of C. fluminea may be influenced by the presence of co-occurring native mussels. Inferred functions from 16S rRNA gene data using PICRUST2 predicted a high prevalence and diversity of degradation functions in the C. fluminea microbiome, especially the degradation of carbohydrates and aromatic compounds. Such modularity and functional diversity of the microbiome of C. fluminea may be an asset, allowing to acclimate to an extensive range of nutritional sources in invaded habitats, which could play a vital role in its invasive success.

Relational Format

journal article

Recommended Citation

Chiarello, M., Bucholz, J. R., McCauley, M., Vaughn, S. N., Hopper, G. W., Sánchez González, I., Atkinson, C. L., Lozier, J. D., & Jackson, C. R. (2022). Environment and co-occurring native mussel species, but not host genetics, impact the microbiome of a freshwater invasive species(Corbicula fluminea). Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 800061. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.800061

DOI

10.3389/fmicb.2022.800061

Accessibility Status

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