Differential priority effects impact taxonomy and functionality of host-associated microbiomes

Most multicellular eukaryotes host complex communities of microorganisms, but the factors that govern their assembly are poorly understood. The settlement of specific microorganisms may have a lasting impact on community composition, a phenomenon known as the priority effect. Priority effects of individual bacterial strains on a host's microbiome are, however, rarely studied and their impact on microbiome functionality remains unknown. We experimentally tested the effect of two bacterial strains (Pseudoalteromonas tunicata D2 and Pseudovibrio sp. D323) on the assembly and succession of the microbial communities associated with the green macroalga Ulva australis. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and qPCR, we found that both strains exert a priority effect, with strain D2 causing initially strong but temporary taxonomic changes and strain D323 causing weaker but consistent changes. Consistent changes were predominately facilitatory and included taxa that may benefit the algal host. Metagenome analyses revealed that the strains elicited both shared (e.g., depletion of type III secretion system genes) and unique (e.g., enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes) effects on the predicted microbiome functionality. These findings indicate strong idiosyncratic effects of colonizing bacteria on the structure and function of host-associated microbial communities. Understanding the idiosyncrasies in priority effects is key for the development of novel probiotics to improve host condition.

Automated summary

Most multicellular eukaryotes host complex communities of microorganisms, and the settlement of specific microorganisms has a lasting impact on community composition, with different bacterial strains exhibiting idiosyncratic priority effects.