Experiment demonstrates how worm hosts and associated microbiome jointly contribute to environmental adaptation

Experiment demonstrates how worm hosts and associated microbiome jointly contribute to environmental adaptation.

Kiel research team used a near-natural compost mesocosm experiment to demonstrate worm hosts mediate adaptation to a novel environment.

Worms evolved in a long-term experiment over 100 days together with microorganisms under complex and near natural environmental conditions in a compost habitat.

The worms have been surviving continuously for almost two years in this environment.

The study provides experimental evidence in the form of specific changes in the microbiome composition and also in the gene expression of the nematodes.

It shows that adaptation to a new environment can be jointly influenced by host and microbiome.

How exactly the microbiome interacts with the host's genetics to improve joint fitness has not yet been studied.