Distinct gut microbiomes in two polar bear subpopulations inhabiting different sea ice ecoregions
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Release: USGS data release - Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Diet and Gut Microbiota Data, 2015-2019
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Gut microbiomes were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding for polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the southern Beaufort Sea (SB), where sea ice loss has led to increased use of land-based food resources by bears, and from East Greenland (EG), where persistent sea ice has allowed hunting of ice-associated prey nearly year-round. SB polar bears showed a higher number of total (940 vs. 742) and unique (387 vs. 189) amplicon sequence variants and higher inter-individual variation compared to EG polar bears. Gut microbiome composition differed significantly between the two subpopulations and among sex/age classes, likely driven by diet variation and ontogenetic shifts in the gut microbiome. Dietary tracer analysis using fatty acid signatures for SB polar bears showed that diet explained more intrapopulation variation in gut microbiome composition and diversity than other tested variables, i.e., sex/age class, body condition, and capture year. Substantial differences in the SB gut microbiome relative to EG polar bears, and associations between SB gut microbiome and diet, suggest that the shifting foraging habits of SB polar bears tied to sea ice loss may be altering their gut microbiome, with potential consequences for nutrition and physiology.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Distinct gut microbiomes in two polar bear subpopulations inhabiting different sea ice ecoregions |
| Series title | Scientific Reports |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41598-021-04340-2 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Year Published | 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Nature Publications |
| Contributing office(s) | Alaska Science Center Biology MFEB |
| Description | 522, 15 p. |
| Country | Greenland, United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |