The amphibian microbiome universe: from symbiosis to ecotoxicology
Abstract: Across vertebrates, the gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in host biology and evolution, influencing processes such as immunity, metabolism, and disease resistance. In amphibians, however, the functional significance of these microbial communities and their potential as mediators of environmental stress have received limited attention. In this seminar, I will highlight key examples of symbiosis between microorganisms and amphibians, underscoring the need to further explore the microbiomes of these organisms.
Amphibians currently face the highest extinction rates among vertebrates, with over 40% of species classified as threatened. Environmental pollution stands as a major driver of this decline. Many pesticides target metabolic pathways shared by plants and microorganisms, yet their impact on the gut microbiota of vertebrates and invertebrates remains poorly understood, especially in amphibians. I will present recent findings on the effects of pesticide exposure (including active compounds and metabolites) on the gut microbiomes of Bufo spinosus at both tadpole and adult stages.
Speaker: Nicolas Pollet, Université Paris-Saclay, Department Evolution, Genomes, Behavior, and Ecology (EGCE)
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