A5068254984- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Gut microbiota and health
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Radioactive contamination and transfer
- Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
University of Salford
2016-2024
University of Manchester
2014-2024
North-West University
2015-2018
Zoological Society of London
2015-2016
Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp
2009
Microbial symbionts of vertebrate skin have an important function in defense the host against pathogens. In particular, emerging chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis , causes widespread disease amphibians but can be inhibited via secondary metabolites produced by many different skin‐associated bacteria. Similarly, fungal pathogens terrestrial salamander eggs Mariannaea elegans and Rhizomucor variabilis are also a variety Indeed, probiotic therapy diseases is recent approach...
Microbial ecology provides insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of microbial communities underpinning every ecosystem on Earth. can now be investigated in unprecedented detail, although there is still a wealth open questions to tackled. Here we identify 50 research fundamental importance science or application ecology, with intention summarising field bringing focus new avenues. Questions are categorised seven themes: host-microbiome interactions; health infectious...
Amphibians support symbiotic bacterial communities on their skin that protect against a range of infectious pathogens, including the amphibian chytrid fungus. The conditions under which amphibians are maintained in captivity (e.g. diet, substrate, enrichment) ex situ conservation programmes may affect composition community. In addition, populations different comparison to same species. This could have implications for suitability intended reintroduction, as well success probiotic...
Host microbiomes play a role in hormone production and subsequent fertility humans, but this is less well understood non-model organisms. This of particular relevance to species zoo-based conservation breeding programmes, as relationships between host microbiome composition reproductive output may allow for the development microbial augmentation strategies improve success. Here, we characterise faecal bacterial communities non-breeding eastern black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli) using...
Microbiome composition is linked to host functional traits including metabolism and immune function. Drivers of microbiome are increasingly well-characterised; however, evidence group-level convergence limited may represent a multi-level trait (i.e. across individuals groups), whereby heritable phenotypes influenced by social interactions. Here, we investigate the influence spatial structuring interactions on gut Welsh mountain ponies. We show that semi-feral ponies exhibit variation in...
Abstract Marine sponges are hosts to large, diverse communities of microorganisms. These microbiomes distinct among sponge species and from seawater bacterial communities, indicating a key role host identity in shaping its resident microbial community. However, the factors governing intraspecific microbiome variability underexplored may shed light on evolutionary ecological relationships between microbiome. Here, we examined influence genetic variation geographic location composition Ircinia...
Mangrove ecosystems are important for carbon storage due to their high productivity and low decomposition rates. Waterways have experienced increased nutrient loads as a result of anthropogenic activities it is unclear how this may affect cycles in downstream mangroves that receive these nutrient-rich waters. Using laboratory-based incubation experiment, study aimed assess the effects addition on diversity structure mangrove soil bacterial communities, well biomass activity microbial...
Amphibian populations worldwide are at risk of extinction from infectious diseases, including chytridiomycosis caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). cutaneous microbiomes interact with Bd and can confer protective benefits to host. The composition microbiome itself is influenced many environment- host-related factors. However, little known about interacting effects host population structure, genetic variation developmental stage on prevalence across multiple...
Abstract 1. To be effective, the next generation of conservation practitioners and managers need to critical thinkers with a deep understanding how make evidence‐based decisions value evidence synthesis. 2. If, as educators, we do not these priorities core part what teach, are failing prepare our students an effective contribution practice. 3. help overcome this problem have created open access online teaching materials in multiple languages that stored Applied Ecology Resources. So far, 117...
Abstract The core‐periphery hypothesis predicts niche cores should be associated with greater survivorship, reproductive output and population performance rates than marginal habitats at edges. However, there is very little empirical evidence of whether centrality influences trends in animals. Using the Cape mountain zebra ( Equus ) as a model system, we evaluated trends, resource availability diet across gradient. Population growth density progressively declined towards peripheries. Niche...
ABSTRACT Microbiomes associated with multicellular organisms influence the disease susceptibility of hosts. The potential exists for such bacteria to protect wildlife from infectious diseases, particularly in case globally distributed and highly virulent fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis global panzootic lineage ( B. GPL), responsible mass extinctions population declines amphibians. GPL exhibits wide genotypic virulence variation, ability candidate probiotics restrict growth...
Abstract Tree pathogens are a major threat to forest ecosystems. Conservation management strategies can exploit natural mechanisms of resistance, such as tree genotype and host‐associated microbial communities. However, fungal bacterial communities rarely looked at in the same framework, particularly conjunction with host genotype. Here, we explore these relationships their influence on ash dieback disease, caused by pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus , European common trees. We collected...
Exposure to biodiverse aerobiomes supports human health, but it is unclear which ecological factors influence exposure. Few studies have investigated near-surface green space aerobiome dynamics, and no reported vertical stratification in different urban spaces. We used columnar sampling next generation sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, combined with geospatial network analyses investigate spatio-compositional dynamics. show a strong effect habitat on diversity complexity. observed...
Abstract Symbiotic bacterial communities can protect their hosts from infection by pathogens. Treatment of wild individuals with protective bacteria (probiotics) isolated combat the spread emerging infectious diseases. However, it is unclear whether candidate probiotic offer consistent protection across multiple isolates globally distributed Here, we use lethal amphibian fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis to investigate richness (number bacteria) or genetic distance among...
Abstract Our understanding of trophic interactions small insectivorous mammals has been drastically improved with the advent DNA metabarcoding. The technique continued to be optimised over years, primer choice repeatedly being a vital factor for dietary inferences. However, majority studies examining effect often rely on in silico analyses or comparing between species that occupy an identical niche type. Here, we apply metabarcoding empirically compare prey detection capabilities two widely...
Environmental impacts of the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident are much debated, but effects radiation on host microbiomes have received little attention to date. We present first analysis small mammal gut from Exclusion Zone in relation total absorbed dose rate, including both caecum and faeces samples. provide novel evidence that species determines fungal community composition, associations between microbiome (both bacterial fungal) communities exposure vary species. Using...
Despite the importance of ex situ conservation programmes as highlighted in Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, there are few empirical studies that examine influence captive conditions on fitness amphibians, even for basic components enclosure design such cover provision. Maintaining amphibian populations is essential to success projects. Here we examined impact plant measures and behaviour red-eyed tree frogs (Agalychnis callidryas). We found significant effects provision body size, growth...
Interactions between hosts and their resident microbial communities are a fundamental component of fitness for both agents. Though recent research has highlighted the importance interactions animals bacterial communities, comparative evidence fungi is lacking, especially in natural populations. Using data from 49 species, we present novel strong covariation fungal across host phylogeny, indicative recruitment by specific suites microbes. co-occurrence networks, demonstrate marked variation...
Abstract Invasive mammals are responsible for the majority of native species extinctions on islands. While most these extinction events will be due to novel interactions between (e.g. exotic predators and naive prey), it is more unusual find incidences where a newly invasive causes decline/extinction an island when they normally coexist elsewhere in their overlapping mainland ranges. We investigated if resource competition two insectivorous small was playing significant role rapid...
Abstract Modern agricultural practices have vastly increased crop production but negatively affected soil health. As such, there is a call to develop sustainable, ecologically-viable approaches food production. Mixed-cropping of plant varieties can increase yields, although impacts on plant-associated microbial communities are unclear, despite their critical role in health and broader ecosystem function. We investigated how mixed-cropping between two field pea ( Pisum sativum L.) (Winfreda...
Host-associated microbes form an important component of immunity that protect against infection by pathogens. Treating wild individuals with these protective microbes, known as probiotics, can reduce rates and disease in both captive settings. However, the utility probiotics for tackling wildlife requires they offer consistent protection across broad genomic variation pathogen hosts encounter natural Here we develop multi-isolate probiotic consortia aim effecting broad-spectrum inhibition...
Summary Many amphibian species are dependent on ex situ conservation interventions for their long‐term persistence. However, projects have been jeopardised by husbandry issues involving poor calcium metabolism and nutritional metabolic bone disease ( NMBD ). Healthy requires appropriate dietary content access to vitamin D 3 . In many animals, can be photobiosynthesised in skin exposed UVB radiation, as well extracted from the diet, but extent of photobiosynthesis amphibians is poorly known....
ABSTRACT Symbiotic bacterial communities play a key role in protecting amphibians from infectious diseases including chytridiomycosis, caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis . Events that lead to disruption of community may have implications for susceptibility such diseases. Amphibians are often marked both wild and captivity variety reasons, although existing literature indicates marking techniques few negative effects, response cutaneous microbial has not yet been...