scholarly journals Variability of diatom community composition and structure in mountain streams

Hydrobiologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena González-Paz ◽  
María Comesaña ◽  
Isabel Pardo ◽  
José Barquín ◽  
Alejandra Goldenberg-Vilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Small Rivers ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Diatom Community ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
River Types ◽  
Over Time

AbstractSmall rivers support high levels of biodiversity, being especially sensitive to the effects of global change. Temporal records of community composition in minimally impaired streams can be used to explore trends in biodiversity in response to climate change and natural temporal variation. We approached the comparison of two time periods (2003–2008 and 2016–2020) to study whether the composition of diatom assemblages changed over time in twenty-three streams of the mountain range of Picos de Europa (Northern Spain). The stream’s water chemistry indicated significant decreases in N_NO3− and P_PO43− content over time. In these minimally disturbed streams, the specific diatom community was dominated by Achnanthidium pyrenaicum, Achnanthidium minutissimum and Cocconeis euglypta. PERMANOVA analyses did not identify significant changes in diatom assemblage composition between periods or river types. Diatom indices (e.g. IPS, NORTIdiat) indicated high or good ecological status and relatively high alpha diversity values were found in these mountain rivers during the studied years. Although diversity and evenness showed a significant decrease over time, the temporal stability of the river-type diatom reference community between the two periods should be considered as an indicator of biodiversity persistence of high importance when monitoring the ecological status following the reference condition approach.

scholarly journals A Longitudinal Study of the Human Oropharynx Microbiota Over Time Reveals a Common Core and Significant Variations With Self-Reported Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Luise Bach ◽  
Asha Ram ◽  
Umer Z. Ijaz ◽  
Thomas J. Evans ◽  
Jan Lindström
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Common Core ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
Culture Independent ◽  
Over Time

Our understanding of human microbial communities, in particular in regard to diseases is advancing, yet the basic understanding of the microbiome in healthy subjects over time remains limited. The oropharynx is a key target for colonization by several important human pathogens. To understand how the oropharyngeal microbiome might limit infections, and how intercurrent infections might be associated with its composition, we characterized the oropharyngeal microbiome of 18 healthy adults, sampled weekly over a 40-weeks using culture-independent molecular techniques. We detected nine phyla, 202 genera and 1438 assignments on OTU level, dominated by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria on phylum level. Individual microbiomes of participants were characterized by levels of high alpha diversity (mean = 204.55 OTUs, sd = 35.64), evenness (19.83, sd = 9.74) and high temporal stability (mean Pearson’s correlation between samples of 0.52, sd = 0.060), with greater differences in microbiome community composition between than within individuals. Significant changes in community composition were associated with disease states, suggesting that it is possible to detect specific changes in OTU abundance and community composition during illness. We defined the common core microbiota by varying occurrence and abundance thresholds showing that individual core microbiomes share a substantial number of OTUs across participants, chiefly Streptococci and Veillonella. Our results provide insights into the microbial communities that characterize the healthy human oropharynx, community structure and variability, and provide new approaches to define individual and shared cores. The wider implications of this result include the potential for modeling the general dynamics of oropharynx microbiota both in health and in response to antimicrobial treatments or probiotics.

scholarly journals Personality dynamics at work: The effects of form, time, and context of variability

2021 ◽  
pp. 089020702110173
Author(s):  
Nadin Beckmann ◽  
Damian P Birney ◽  
Amirali Minbashian ◽  
Jens F Beckmann
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Short Term ◽  
State Data ◽  
The Status ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Trait Variability

The study aimed to investigate the status of within-person state variability in neuroticism and conscientiousness as individual differences constructs by exploring their (a) temporal stability, (b) cross-context consistency, (c) empirical links to selected antecedents, and (d) empirical links to longer term trait variability. Employing a sample of professionals ( N = 346) from Australian organisations, personality state data together with situation appraisals were collected using experience sampling methodology in field and repeatedly in lab-like settings. Data on personality traits, cognitive ability, and motivational mindsets were collected at baseline and after two years. Contingent (situation contingencies) and non-contingent (relative SD) state variability indices were relatively stable over time and across contexts. Only a small number of predictive effects of state variability were observed, and these differed across contexts. Cognitive ability appeared to be associated with state variability under lab-like conditions. There was limited evidence of links between short-term state and long-term trait variability, except for a small effect for neuroticism. Some evidence of positive manifold was found for non-contingent variability. Systematic efforts are required to further elucidate the complex pattern of results regarding the antecedents, correlates and outcomes of individual differences in state variability.

scholarly journals Longitudinal assessment of the bovine ocular bacterial community dynamics in calves

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison C. Bartenslager ◽  
Nirosh D. Althuge ◽  
John Dustin Loy ◽  
Matthew M. Hille ◽  
Matthew L. Spangler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Bacterial Community Composition ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Sampling Time ◽  
Experimental Population ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), commonly known as pinkeye, is one of the most significant diseases of beef cattle. As such, IBK costs the US beef industry at least 150 million annually. However, strategies to prevent IBK are limited, with most cases resulting in treatment with antibiotics once the disease has developed. Longitudinal studies evaluating establishment of the ocular microbiota may identify critical risk periods for IBK outbreaks or changes in the microbiota that may predispose animals to IBK. Results In an attempt to characterize the establishment and colonization patterns of the bovine ocular microbiota, we conducted a longitudinal study consisting of 227 calves and evaluated the microbiota composition over time using amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) based on 16S rRNA sequencing data and culture-based approaches. Beef calves on trial consisted of both male (intact) and females. Breeds were composed of purebred Angus and composites with varying percentages of Simmental, Angus, and Red Angus breeds. Average age at the start of the trial was 65 days ±15.02 and all calves remained nursing on their dam until weaning (day 139 of the study). The trial consisted of 139 days with four sampling time points on day 0, 21, 41, and 139. The experimental population received three different vaccination treatments (autogenous, commercial (both inactivated bacteria), and adjuvant placebo), to assess the effectiveness of different vaccines for IBK prevention. A significant change in bacterial community composition was observed across time periods sampled compared to the baseline (p < 0.001). However, no treatment effect of vaccine was detected within the ocular bacterial community. The bacterial community composition with the greatest time span between sampling time periods (98d span) was most similar to the baseline sample collected, suggesting re-establishment of the ocular microbiota to baseline levels over time after perturbation. The effect of IgA levels on the microbial community was investigated in a subset of cattle within the study. However, no significant effect of IgA was observed. Significant changes in the ocular microbiota were identified when comparing communities pre- and post-clinical signs of IBK. Additionally, dynamic changes in opportunistic pathogens Moraxella spp. were observed and confirmed using culture based methods. Conclusions Our results indicate that the bovine ocular microbiota is well represented by opportunistic pathogens such as Moraxella and Mycoplasma. Furthermore, this study characterizes the diversity of the ocular microbiota in calves and demonstrates the plasticity of the ocular microbiota to change. Additionally, we demonstrate the ocular microbiome in calves is similar between the eyes and the perturbation of one eye results in similar changes in the other eye. We also demonstrate the bovine ocular microbiota is slow to recover post perturbation and as a result provide opportunistic pathogens a chance to establish within the eye leading to IBK and other diseases. Characterizing the dynamic nature of the ocular microbiota provides novel opportunities to develop potential probiotic intervention to reduce IBK outbreaks in cattle.

scholarly journals Spatial and Annual Variation in Microbial Abundance, Community Composition, and Diversity Associated With Alpine Surface Snow

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Fillinger ◽  
Kerstin Hürkamp ◽  
Christine Stumpp ◽  
Nina Weber ◽  
Dominik Forster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Microbial Community ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Taxon Richness ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Prokaryotic Cell ◽  
Surface Snow

Understanding microbial community dynamics in the alpine cryosphere is an important step toward assessing climate change impacts on these fragile ecosystems and meltwater-fed environments downstream. In this study, we analyzed microbial community composition, variation in community alpha and beta diversity, and the number of prokaryotic cells and virus-like particles (VLP) in seasonal snowpack from two consecutive years at three high altitude mountain summits along a longitudinal transect across the European Alps. Numbers of prokaryotic cells and VLP both ranged around 104 and 105 per mL of snow meltwater on average, with variation generally within one order of magnitude between sites and years. VLP-to-prokaryotic cell ratios spanned two orders of magnitude, with median values close to 1, and little variation between sites and years in the majority of cases. Estimates of microbial community alpha diversity inferred from Hill numbers revealed low contributions of common and abundant microbial taxa to the total taxon richness, and thus low community evenness. Similar to prokaryotic cell and VLP numbers, differences in alpha diversity between years and sites were generally relatively modest. In contrast, community composition displayed strong variation between sites and especially between years. Analyses of taxonomic and phylogenetic community composition showed that differences between sites within years were mainly characterized by changes in abundances of microbial taxa from similar phylogenetic clades, whereas shifts between years were due to significant phylogenetic turnover. Our findings on the spatiotemporal dynamics and magnitude of variation of microbial abundances, community diversity, and composition in surface snow may help define baseline levels to assess future impacts of climate change on the alpine cryosphere.

scholarly journals Temporal Dynamics of Cloacal Microbiota in Adult Laying Chickens With and Without Access to an Outdoor Range

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janneke Schreuder ◽  
Francisca C. Velkers ◽  
Alex Bossers ◽  
Ruth J. Bouwstra ◽  
Willem F. de Boer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Sudden Change ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Poultry House ◽  
Over Time

Associations between animal health and performance, and the host’s microbiota have been recently established. In poultry, changes in the intestinal microbiota have been linked to housing conditions and host development, but how the intestinal microbiota respond to environmental changes under farm conditions is less well understood. To gain insight into the microbial responses following a change in the host’s immediate environment, we monitored four indoor flocks of adult laying chickens three times over 16 weeks, during which two flocks were given access to an outdoor range, and two were kept indoors. To assess changes in the chickens’ microbiota over time, we collected cloacal swabs of 10 hens per flock and performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The poultry house (i.e., the stable in which flocks were housed) and sampling time explained 9.2 and 4.4% of the variation in the microbial community composition of the flocks, respectively. Remarkably, access to an outdoor range had no detectable effect on microbial community composition, the variability of microbiota among chickens of the same flock, or microbiota richness, but the microbiota of outdoor flocks became more even over time. Fluctuations in the composition of the microbiota over time within each poultry house were mainly driven by turnover in rare, rather than dominant, taxa and were unique for each flock. We identified 16 amplicon sequence variants that were differentially abundant over time between indoor and outdoor housed chickens, however none were consistently higher or lower across all chickens of one housing type over time. Our study shows that cloacal microbiota community composition in adult layers is stable following a sudden change in environment, and that temporal fluctuations are unique to each flock. By exploring microbiota of adult poultry flocks within commercial settings, our study sheds light on how the chickens’ immediate environment affects the microbiota composition.

scholarly journals Soil microbes and oxygen influence the changes in bacterial community composition during swine carcass decomposition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Miguel ◽  
Seon Ho Kim ◽  
Sang Suk Lee ◽  
Yong Il Cho
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
16S Rrna ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Soil Microbes ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Bacterial Community Composition ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Decomposition Process ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Unsterilized Soil

Abstract Background Carcass decomposition is influenced by various factors such as temperature, humidity, microorganisms, invertebrates, and scavengers. Soil microbes play a significant role in the decomposition process. In this study, we investigated the changes in the bacterial community during carcass decomposition in soil with an intact microbial community and soil which was sterilized decomposed with and without oxygen access using 16s rRNA metagenomic sequencing. Results Based on the 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing, a total of 988 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) representing 16 phyla and 533 genera were detected. The bacterial diversity varied across the based on the alpha diversity indices. The bacterial composition in the unsterilized soil – aerobic condition (U_A) and unsterilized soil – anaerobic condition (U_An) set-ups have higher alpha diversity than the other burial set-ups. Beta diversity analysis revealed a close association in the samples according to the burial type and decomposition day. Firmicutes was the dominant phylum across all samples regardless of the burial type and decomposition day. The bacterial community composition changed throughout the decomposition process in all burial set-up. Meanwhile, the genus Bacillus dominated the bacterial community towards the end of decomposition period. Conclusions Our results showed that bacterial community composition changed during carcass decomposition and was affected by the soil and oxygen access, with microorganisms belonging to phylum Firmicutes dominating the community.

Megaliths and Holy Places in the Genesis of the Kingdom of Asturias (North of Spain, ad 718–910)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Ángel de Blas Cortina ◽  
Marta Díaz-Guardamino
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Santa Cruz ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Fluvial Terrace ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Holy Places ◽  
North Of Spain ◽  
Bear Witness

Flowing from the Picos de Europa mountain range into the Bay of Biscay (in a SW–NE direction), the River Sella is the main dividing axis of the highly mountainous territory of Asturias, northern Spain, with peaks up to 2,500 metres. The first known human traces in the Sella river basin date back to the Middle Palaeolithic and include remains of thirteen Neanderthal individuals found in the cave of El Sidrón. Archaeological remains dating to the Upper Palaeolithic and the Epipalaeolithic are frequent throughout the region. The adoption of the Neolithic way of life in Asturias was modest. The polished axes found in large numbers and mostly manufactured with rocks imported from other regions, are one of the main sources of evidence to study the Asturian Neolithic. The most noticeable archaeological evidence for this period is, however, the megalithic phenomenon, the earliest monuments dating to the beginning of the fourth millennium BC. Unlike the usual concentrations of barrows and dolmens in other areas of northern Iberia, these constructions are often found on high ground, strategically overlooking the main stretches of well-travelled pathways. The most prominent Asturian megalith, Santa Cruz (Cangas de Onís), however, differs from the pattern outlined above, as it was placed on a fluvial terrace, on a location often flooded by the Sella and Güeña rivers, which meet here (Blas Cortina 1997a; 1997b). The low altitude and the fair conditions of the optimal Holocene would have provided the basis for a densely forested environment throughout the fifth and fourth millennia bc. Historically, the most populated town of this region has been Cangas de Onís, located in the confluence of the Sella and Güeña rivers, where the best agricultural land is also found. These apt conditions also extend to the adjoining valley of Güeña, home to the sites of Covadonga and Abamia, which bear witness to the interweaving of prehistoric memory and Medieval affairs that will be discussed in this chapter.

scholarly journals Maqui berry vs Sloe berry – Liquor-based Beverage for New Development

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1501000
Author(s):  
Amadeo Gironés-Vilaplana ◽  
Diego A. Moreno ◽  
Cristina García-Viguera
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Organoleptic Properties ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
New Development ◽  
Aristotelia Chilensis ◽  
Maqui Berry ◽  
Over Time

“Pacharán” is an aniseed liquor-based beverage made with sloe berry ( Prunus spinosa L.) that has been produced in northern Spain. On the other hand, maqui berry ( Aristotelia chilensis) is a common edible berry from Chile, and currently under study because of its multiple beneficial effects on health. The aim of this work was to design a new aniseed liquor-based beverage with maqui berry, as an industrial alternative to a traditional alcoholic product with bioactive berries. The characterization of its composition, compared with the traditional “Pacharán”, and its evolution during maceration (6 and 12 months) showed that the new maqui liquor had significantly-higher anthocyanin retention over time. More studies on the organoleptic properties and bioactivity are underway.

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