Committee Chair

Leasi, Francesca

Committee Member

Alda, Fernando; Klug, Hope

Department

Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

Within animal digestive systems reside a vast array of microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is known to play an important role in many of the host’s physiological processes, and investigating this relationship is crucial in understanding the adaptation of an animal to its environment. Species invasions offer a natural model in which to study how an abrupt change in environment might impact the gut microbiome. We compared the gut microbiomes of four species of freshwater fish belonging to the genus Cyprinella, including both native and introduced populations of the prolific invader Cyprinella lutrensis, to investigate if differences in their diversity and structure are determined phylogenetically or depend on the ecology and geographical location where they occur. We sequenced the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 regions to test for differences in microbial alpha diversity and community composition between species and collection sites. We also sequenced the 18S rRNA gene V9 region to test for the effects of host diet on microbial community composition. A significant effect was observed between host sites, and to a lesser extent host species. There was also significant correlation between the host diet (18S) and microbial community composition. Altogether, our results suggest that host genetics, diet, and geography all play significant roles in defining intestinal microbiota.

Degree

M. S.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science.

Date

12-2023

Subject

Cyprinidae--Physiology; Cyprinidae-- Adaptation

Keyword

Microbiome; Fish; Metagenomics; Cyprinella; 16S; 18S

Document Type

Masters theses

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

x, 51 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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