Metatranscriptomic analysis for microbial functional genes in earthworm gut

The earthworm gut is the natural habitat for a large and dynamic microbial community that is of great importance to soil fertility, and possibly wasetewater treatment. Sequencing of 16S rDNA clones is increasing our knowledge of genetic variability (especially bacterial) in the earthworm gastrointestinal tract. However, little is known about the active eukaryotic microorganisms and their functions in this microbiome. We performed a metatranscriptomic study on earthworm guts to elucidate the active members of the eukaryotic microbiome and their functionality.