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The Role of Macroinvertebrates and Gut Microbiomes in Freshwater Ecosystem Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Community Composition

Bhattacharyya, Sohini
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1640196730018886

Abstract Details

2022, PHD, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences.
Freshwater ecosystems serve as habitats for an array of macroinvertebrates and microorganisms. Macroinvertebrates are an integral part of freshwater ecosystems and their guts serve as habitats for various microorganisms, including bacteria. However, the role of freshwater macroinvertebrates and their gut microbiomes in performing ecosystem functions, including (but not limited to) biogeochemical processes, are relatively less explored than free-living microbiomes. The overall goal of this dissertation is to understand the contribution of freshwater macroinvertebrates towards nitrogen dynamics (denitrification in particular), antibiotic resistance, and the connection of these processes to bacterial community composition and function. Hence, I examined differences in antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) abundances and bacterial community composition among macroinvertebrate guts, sediment, and water microbiomes in an urban Northeast Ohio stream, looked at connection between denitrification functional genes and denitrification rates in crayfish guts, and effect of bioturbation on dissolved inorganic nitrogen, denitrification and bacterial abundance and community composition. Overall, the results showed that macroinvertebrate guts may serve as potential reservoirs of ARGs, however, we did not find evidence to show that macroinvertebrates serve as vectors of ARGs. Furthermore, we found that crayfish guts support both incomplete and complete denitrification while bioturbation by macroinvertebrates having different modes of burrowing influenced dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration and bacterial community composition differently. Future studies need to focus on extensive sampling to draw generalizations about the role of macroinvertebrates in antibiotic resistance and denitrification in aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, such results when tested in field experiments can have implications on restoration and management decisions, and connect the effect of anthropogenic activities with ecosystem functions.
Laura Leff, PHD (Advisor)
172 p.
Ecology
Freshwater,; macroinvertebrates; denitrification; bacterial community composition

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bhattacharyya, S. (2022). The Role of Macroinvertebrates and Gut Microbiomes in Freshwater Ecosystem Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Community Composition [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1640196730018886

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bhattacharyya, Sohini. The Role of Macroinvertebrates and Gut Microbiomes in Freshwater Ecosystem Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Community Composition . 2022. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1640196730018886.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bhattacharyya, Sohini. "The Role of Macroinvertebrates and Gut Microbiomes in Freshwater Ecosystem Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Community Composition ." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1640196730018886

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.