Salinity-influenced changes in the community and functional composition of zooplankton-associated bacteria in the lakes of Inner Mongolia

In aquatic ecosystems, bacteria often reside on the surface or in the gut of zooplankton to play an indispensable role. Salinity is a key factor influencing the structure and functional composition of aquatic bacterial communities; however, its impact on zooplankton-associated bacteria (ZA) remains...

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Main Authors: Yuan Li, Qianhong Wang, Dongyi Chen, Xia Liu, Feizhou Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1529512/full
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author Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Qianhong Wang
Dongyi Chen
Dongyi Chen
Xia Liu
Feizhou Chen
Feizhou Chen
author_facet Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Qianhong Wang
Dongyi Chen
Dongyi Chen
Xia Liu
Feizhou Chen
Feizhou Chen
author_sort Yuan Li
collection DOAJ
description In aquatic ecosystems, bacteria often reside on the surface or in the gut of zooplankton to play an indispensable role. Salinity is a key factor influencing the structure and functional composition of aquatic bacterial communities; however, its impact on zooplankton-associated bacteria (ZA) remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate the ZA of the cladoceran Moina mongolica from lakes in the Inner Mongolian Plateau with different salinity groups (Low salinity: 2‰–3‰, High salinity: 17‰). By annotating the sequencing data, we identified the community structure of ZA, and we used the FAPROTAX database to infer their functional potential. Statistical analyses revealed that salinity is a significant environmental factor shaping the community structure and inferred functional composition of ZA. Higher salinity reduced the diversity and abundance of ZA, which, in turn, affected the biochemical functions contributed by these bacteria. Our results suggest that under salinity stress, the community structure and inferred functional composition of zooplankton-associated bacteria are affected, which may influence the ecological role of zooplankton in saline lakes. This study provides new insights into the ecological functions of zooplankton in saline lakes under the context of climate change and human activity.
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spelling doaj-art-b078c52f44c8458d8d8519739d88868f2025-08-20T02:39:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-06-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.15295121529512Salinity-influenced changes in the community and functional composition of zooplankton-associated bacteria in the lakes of Inner MongoliaYuan Li0Yuan Li1Qianhong Wang2Dongyi Chen3Dongyi Chen4Xia Liu5Feizhou Chen6Feizhou Chen7Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaIn aquatic ecosystems, bacteria often reside on the surface or in the gut of zooplankton to play an indispensable role. Salinity is a key factor influencing the structure and functional composition of aquatic bacterial communities; however, its impact on zooplankton-associated bacteria (ZA) remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate the ZA of the cladoceran Moina mongolica from lakes in the Inner Mongolian Plateau with different salinity groups (Low salinity: 2‰–3‰, High salinity: 17‰). By annotating the sequencing data, we identified the community structure of ZA, and we used the FAPROTAX database to infer their functional potential. Statistical analyses revealed that salinity is a significant environmental factor shaping the community structure and inferred functional composition of ZA. Higher salinity reduced the diversity and abundance of ZA, which, in turn, affected the biochemical functions contributed by these bacteria. Our results suggest that under salinity stress, the community structure and inferred functional composition of zooplankton-associated bacteria are affected, which may influence the ecological role of zooplankton in saline lakes. This study provides new insights into the ecological functions of zooplankton in saline lakes under the context of climate change and human activity.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1529512/fullzooplankton-associated bacteriaMoina mongolicasalinity16S rRNA genecommunity structureecological functions
spellingShingle Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Qianhong Wang
Dongyi Chen
Dongyi Chen
Xia Liu
Feizhou Chen
Feizhou Chen
Salinity-influenced changes in the community and functional composition of zooplankton-associated bacteria in the lakes of Inner Mongolia
Frontiers in Microbiology
zooplankton-associated bacteria
Moina mongolica
salinity
16S rRNA gene
community structure
ecological functions
title Salinity-influenced changes in the community and functional composition of zooplankton-associated bacteria in the lakes of Inner Mongolia
title_full Salinity-influenced changes in the community and functional composition of zooplankton-associated bacteria in the lakes of Inner Mongolia
title_fullStr Salinity-influenced changes in the community and functional composition of zooplankton-associated bacteria in the lakes of Inner Mongolia
title_full_unstemmed Salinity-influenced changes in the community and functional composition of zooplankton-associated bacteria in the lakes of Inner Mongolia
title_short Salinity-influenced changes in the community and functional composition of zooplankton-associated bacteria in the lakes of Inner Mongolia
title_sort salinity influenced changes in the community and functional composition of zooplankton associated bacteria in the lakes of inner mongolia
topic zooplankton-associated bacteria
Moina mongolica
salinity
16S rRNA gene
community structure
ecological functions
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1529512/full
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