A1 Journal article (refereed)
No evidence for associations between brood size, gut microbiome diversity and survival in great tit (Parus major) nestlings (2023)
Liukkonen, M., Hukkanen, M., Cossin-Sevrin, N., Stier, A., Vesterinen, E., Grond, K., & Ruuskanen, S. (2023). No evidence for associations between brood size, gut microbiome diversity and survival in great tit (Parus major) nestlings. Animal Microbiome, 5, Article 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-023-00241-z
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Liukkonen, Martta; Hukkanen, Mikaela; Cossin-Sevrin, Nina; Stier, Antoine; Vesterinen, Eero; Grond, Kirsten; Ruuskanen, Suvi
Journal or series: Animal Microbiome
eISSN: 2524-4671
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 22/03/2023
Volume: 5
Article number: 19
Publisher: Biomed Central
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-023-00241-z
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/86187
Abstract
Results: Gut microbiome diversity showed high variation between individuals, but this variation was not signifcantly explained by brood size or body mass. Additionally, we did not fnd a signifcant efect of brood size on body mass or gut microbiome composition. We also demonstrated that early handling had no impact on nestling performance or gut microbiome. Furthermore, we found no signifcant association between gut microbiome diversity and short-term (survival to fedging) or mid-term (apparent juvenile) survival.
Conclusions: We found no clear association between early-life environment, ofspring condition and gut microbiome. This suggests that brood size is not a signifcantly contributing factor to great tit nestling condition, and that other environmental and genetic factors may be more strongly linked to ofspring condition and gut microbiome. Future studies should expand into other early-life environmental factors e.g., diet composition and quality, and parental infuences.
Keywords: birds; great tit; microbiome; intestines
Free keywords: avian microbiome; brood size; gut microbiome; parus major; 16S rRNA gene
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2023
Preliminary JUFO rating: 0