Cell size mediates community assembly and metabolic potential of earthworm gut microbiota to shape host physiological functions

Le résumé fourni par la source

Cell size is a fundamental trait of microorganisms associated with life history characteristics and ecological functions. However, its variation and physiological relevance in animal gut ecosystems remain largely unexplored. The earthworm gut harbors diverse microbial communities, yet how bacterial cell size shapes community assembly and affects host physiology has not been systematically investigated. Meta-analysis with field and microcosm experiments were combined to study the assembly and functional roles of gut bacterial communities in earthworm physiology as determined per groups of distinct cell sizes. We found that both large- and small-sized gut bacterial communities were primarily structured by deterministic processes. Large-sized bacteria displayed greater functional complexity, influencing energy metabolism and locomotion in earthworms through process like L-argininosuccinate and cis-aconitate metabolism. In contrast, small-sized bacteria, associated with energetic efficiency, induced gene expression linked to earthworm development and immunity, involving compounds like dulcitol and glycerol-3-phosphate. Our findings reveal that bacterial cell size is an ecologically and physiologically meaningful trait in gut microbiomes, shaping both community assembly and functional outcomes. This study highlights the potential of bacterial cell size as a predictive trait for understanding microbiota-driven modulation of host physiology, offering a new lens for dissecting microbial contributions to animal health and performance. Video Abstract

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