Abstract
Soil invertebrates play an essential role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, yet the contribution of their gut microbiota to these processes remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated how the gut microbiota of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare responds to variation in food source (maize vs. soybean), fertilization, and habitat type (tree-, shrub-, and herbaceous plant-dominated areas), and how these microbial communities contribute to carbon cycling. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing combined with enzymatic activity assays and functional predictions (PICRUSt2 and FAPROTAX) revealed that food source had the strongest influence on gut microbiota and predicted functional potential. Maize-fed individuals exhibited higher microbial diversity and enriched pathways for cellulose and xylan degradation, while soybean-fed isopods were dominated by symbiotic taxa such as norank_o_Rickettsiales, resulting in reduced carbon cycling activity. Fertilizer application suppressed microbial richness and promoted acidophilic or potentially pathogenic taxa. In contrast, unfertilized conditions supported beneficial bacteria involved in denitrification, hydrocarbon degradation, and sulfur metabolism. Habitat type further shaped community structure and function, with tree- and shrub-dominated areas favoring lignin- and chitin-degrading microbes and herbaceous areas enhancing cellulose decomposition. These findings highlight the ecological significance of A. vulgare as a vector of microbe-mediated carbon transformation and provide new insight into the functional links between soil fauna, microbial communities, and terrestrial biogeochemical cycles.
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Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China 2021ZDPY0210.
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Wang, Y., Wang, J., Zhang, W. et al. Terrestrial isopods shape carbon cycling through gut microbiota in variable environments.
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-65639-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-65639-6
Keywords
Armadillidium vulgare
- Gut microbiota
- Carbon cycling
- Functional prediction
- Enzymatic activity
Source: Ecology - nature.com
