Microbiome Analysis of North American Tardigrades

Tardigrades, microscopic animals related to nematodes and arthropods, are well known for surviving extreme conditions. However, the microbiome of tardigrades has only been the subject of four analyses. This is the first microbiome analysis of North American tardigrades and of tardigrades isolated from an agricultural setting. By analyzing the microbiota of populations of tardigrades instead of single species, we gained a broader understanding of the tardigrade microbiota and how it is affected by space, time, and habitat. Using laboratory and computational techniques not utilized in earlier tardigrade microbiome analyses, we mitigated the effects of contamination on the final dataset. Among our novel findings, we demonstrate that the tardigrade community microbiota varied significantly across locations and was temporally dynamic. Our analysis also supports existing literature by showing that the tardigrade microbiota is distinct from that of the substrate. This study indicates that the tardigrade community microbiome may act as a reservoir for plant pathogens. Additionally, we provide evidence that North American tardigrades contain endosymbiotic bacteria that may alter their reproduction. Our analysis furthers the understanding of tardigrade biology and their role in ecosystems and raises the possibility that wild tardigrades harbor plant pathogens.