Stochastic colonization of hosts with a finite lifespan can drive individual host microbes out of equilibrium

We present a mathematical model of this process with a particular emphasis on the effect of ecological drift and a finite host lifespan. Our results indicate the host lifespan becomes especially relevant for short-living organisms (e.g.Caenorhabditis elegans,Drosophila melanogaster, andDanio rerio). In this case, alternative microbiome states (often called enterotypes), the coexistence of microbe-free and colonized hosts, and a reduced probability of colonization can be observed in our model. These results unify multiple reported observations around colonization and suggest that no selective or deterministic drivers are necessary to explain them.
Source: PLoS Computational Biology - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: research