Reciprocal translocation experiments reveal gut microbiome plasticity and host specificity in a Qinghai-Xizang Plateau lizard

Zool Res. 2025 Jan 18;46(1):139-151. doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.284.

Abstract

Animal adaptation to environmental challenges is a complex process involving intricate interactions between the host genotype and gut microbiome composition. The gut microbiome, highly responsive to external environmental factors, plays a crucial role in host adaptability and may facilitate local adaptation within species. Concurrently, the genetic background of host populations influences gut microbiome composition, highlighting the bidirectional relationship between host and microbiome. Despite this, our understanding of gut microbiome plasticity and its role in host adaptability remains limited, particularly in reptiles. To clarify this issue, we conducted a reciprocal translocation experiment with gravid females of the Qinghai toad-headed lizards ( Phrynocephalus vlangalii) between high-altitude (2 600 m a.s.l.) and superhigh-altitude (3 600 m a.s.l.) environments on Dangjin Mountain of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China. One year later, we assessed the phenotypes and gut microbiomes of their offspring. Results revealed significant plasticity in gut microbiome diversity and structure in response to contrasting elevations. High-altitude conditions increased diversity, and maternal effects appeared to enable high-altitude lizards to maintain elevated diversity when exposed to superhigh-altitude environments. Additionally, superhigh-altitude lizards displayed distinct gut microbiome structures with notable host specificity, potentially linked to their lower growth rates. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of the gut microbiome in facilitating reptilian adaptation to rapid environmental changes across altitudinal gradients. Furthermore, this study provides critical insights into microbial mechanisms underpinning local adaptation and adaptative plasticity, offering a foundation for future research on host-microbiome interactions in evolutionary and ecological contexts.

动物对环境的适应通常涉及到基因型与肠道微生物组组成之间的复杂相互作用。肠道微生物组对外界环境敏感,在宿主的适应性中起着至关重要的作用,甚至可能有助于物种内的本地适应。同时,肠道微生物组也受到宿主种群遗传背景的影响。然而,关于肠道微生物组的可塑性及其对宿主适应性影响的理解仍然有限,特别是在爬行动物研究中。为了深入了解这一问题,我们在中国青藏高原的当金山进行了青海沙蜥( Phrynocephalus vlangalii)怀孕雌性在高海拔(2 600 m)和超高海拔(3 600 m)之间的交互移居实验。一年后,我们收集了其后代的表型和肠道微生物组数据。研究结果表明,不同的海拔高度种群 P. vlangalii的肠道微生物多样性及结构具有可塑性。具体而言,高海拔环境导致多样性增加,而高海拔蜥蜴可能由于母体效应而在超高海拔环境中保持更高的多样性。此外,我们的分析表明,超高海拔蜥蜴的肠道微生物群结构表现出宿主特异性,这一特征可能与它们通常较低的生长率有关。总体而言,我们的研究强调了肠道微生物群在爬行动物适应海拔环境快速变化中的关键作用。它为未来研究微生物介导的本地适应和适应性可塑性奠定了基础。.

Keywords: Gut microbiome; Host specificity; Phrynocephalus vlangalii; Plasticity; Reciprocal translocated experiment.

Associated data

  • BioProject/PRJNA1141194