Hologenomic insights into the biology of invasive and endangered fishes
in Mediterranean wetlands
Abstract
Freshwater habitats are under increasing pressure from numerous
anthropogenic forces, including the introduction of alien species
capable of altering ecosystems and threatening native species. Although
alien species themself are likely to experience loss of genetic
diversity when colonising novel environments, some manage to become
invasive, suggesting that other factors might facilitate their adaptive
capacity. Using a hologenomic approach, we elucidate population genomic
trends, the gut microbiota composition and genome-environment-microbiota
interaction in the endemic and endangered Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius
iberus) and the highly invasive Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia
holbrooki). We found clear genetic signatures of captive breeding in the
populations of A. iberus, while G. holbrooki are characterised by an
overall low level of heterozygosity and likely signs of multiple
introductions. Gut microbial communities of the two species differed
significantly across locations, but no sign of increased microbial
plasticity was detected in G. holbrooki. However, we report that the
genetic profile of each fish was able to explain a considerable part of
the microbiota variation measured across individuals. Using shotgun
metagenomics, we observed an overall high functional capacity of the
microbiota in both species, but we identified no significant differences
in the functional capacity between them. The role of the gut microbiota
in invasive species and conservation warrant further research using
direct comparisons or controlled mesocosm setups, but based on the
results of the current study, the gut microbiota of invasive species