The Effects of Taxonomy and Ecology on the Microbiomes of Riverine Macroinvertebrates

Macroinvertebrates play key ecological roles in riverine food webs, such as the transfer of nutrients to consumers and the decomposition of organic matter. Although local habitat quality drives macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance, little is known about their microbiomes. Gaining a better understanding for the microbiomes of aquatic invertebrates in riverine habitats is essential for understanding how these organisms perform essential ecosystem functions. In most animals, microbiomes provide benefits, such as increasing nutrient metabolic rates, facilitating immune system development, and defending against pathogenic attack. Our objectives were to identify the bacteria within the guts of aquatic invertebrates and determine whether their composition varied with taxonomy, habitat, diet, and time of sample collection. This is the most comprehensive study of freshwater invertebrate gut microbiomes to date, enhancing our understanding of aquatic invertebrate microbiomes and establishing a baseline of their natural variability and diversity.