Microbiomes, metagenomics, and primate conservation: New strategies, tools, and applications

dc.contributor.authorStumpf, Rebecca M.
dc.contributor.authorGomez, Andres
dc.contributor.authorAmato, Katherine R.
dc.contributor.authorYeoman, Carl J.
dc.contributor.authorPolk, J. D.
dc.contributor.authorWilson, Brenda A.
dc.contributor.authorNelson, Karen E.
dc.contributor.authorWhite, B. A.
dc.contributor.authorLeigh, Steven R.
dc.date.accessioned2016-07-20T12:53:20Z
dc.date.available2016-07-20T12:53:20Z
dc.date.issued2016-07
dc.description.abstractConservation strategies require multifaceted approaches to monitor and protect primate populations, many of which are rapidly declining around the world. We propose that microbial ecology and next-generation microbiome analyses offer valuable perspectives and tools for investigating and monitoring primate health and improving conservation efforts. The microbial communities inhabiting primates and other taxa profoundly affect host health, nutrition, physiology, and immune systems, through relationships that range from commensal and mutualistic to pathogenic. Recent advances in DNA sequencing now make it feasible and economically viable to identify microbiomes among and within hosts. Herein, we highlight several examples in which microbial analyses of primates can aid conservation approaches that are broadly applicable across other taxa. First, we highlight evidence for clear spatial variation (e.g. biogeographic niche specificity, both within the anatomical regions of the host body, as well as in the geographic location of the host) and temporal (e.g. seasonal, ontogenetic) patterns in microbial distribution. We emphasize that microbial communities are sensitive to alterations in the external environment and that microbial diversity correlates with habitat quality, imposing direct health consequences. Incorporating microbial host and biogeographic variation holds great potential for forest corridor assessments and for reintroduction efforts. Finally, microbial pathogens transmitted between humans and wild primate populations carry both direct and indirect conservation implications. Principally, we argue that phylogenetic analyses of infectious pathogens (e.g., Ebola, dengue, Borellia, and Treponema) can aid our understanding of modes of disease transmission and aid conservation disease abatement efforts. The application of microbial analyses to conservation is currently in its infancy but holds enormous potential. To date, no conservation policy or legislation includes microbiome assessments. Integrating new understanding of the patterns of microbial diversity and early signs of impending microbial disruption offer valuable tools for informing conservation strategies and monitoring and promoting primate (including human) health.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipUIUC Keck Center, J. Craig Ventner Institute, the University of Illinois, the J.S. Guggenheim Foundation, the C.R Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, the University of Colorado, NSF BCS 0935374, NSF BCS 0820709, and NSF BCS 1441409en_US
dc.identifier.citationStumpf, R.M., A. Gomez, K.R. Amato, Carl J. Yeoman, J.D. Polk, B.A. Wilson, K.E. Nelson, B.A. White, and S.R. Leigh. "Microbiomes, metagenomics, and primate conservation: New strategies, tools, and applications." Biological Conservation 199 (July 2016): 56-66. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2016.03.035.en_US
dc.identifier.issn0006-3207
dc.identifier.urihttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/9940
dc.titleMicrobiomes, metagenomics, and primate conservation: New strategies, tools, and applicationsen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
mus.citation.extentfirstpage56en_US
mus.citation.extentlastpage66en_US
mus.citation.journaltitleBiological Conservationen_US
mus.citation.volume199en_US
mus.data.thumbpage4en_US
mus.identifier.categoryLife Sciences & Earth Sciencesen_US
mus.identifier.doi10.1016/j.biocon.2016.03.035en_US
mus.relation.collegeCollege of Agricultureen_US
mus.relation.departmentAnimal & Range Sciences.en_US
mus.relation.universityMontana State University - Bozemanen_US

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Yeoman_BC_2016.pdf
Size:
1.44 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Microbiomes, metagenomics, and primate conservation: New strategies, tools, and applications (PDF)

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
826 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Copyright (c) 2002-2022, LYRASIS. All rights reserved.