Mechanisms of biodiversity between Campylobacter sequence types in a flock of broiler–breeder chickens. Issue 3 (6th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rawson, Thomas; Colles, Frances M.; Terry, J. Christopher D.; Bonsall, Michael B.
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 12:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-03-06
• Subjects: biodiversity -- broiler -- Campylobacter -- microbial competition -- sequence type; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8651
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Commercial poultry flocks frequently harbor the dangerous bacterial pathogen Campylobacter . As exclusion efforts frequently fail, there is interest in potential ecologically informed solutions. A long‐term study of Campylobacter sequence types was used to investigate the competitive framework of the Campylobacter metacommunity and understand how multiple sequence types simultaneously co‐occur in a flock of chickens. A combination of matrix and patch‐occupancy models was used to estimate parameters describing the competition, transmission, and mortality of each sequence type. It was found that Campylobacter sequence types form a strong hierarchical framework within a flock of chickens and occupied a broad spectrum of transmission–mortality trade‐offs. Upon further investigation of how biodiversity is thus maintained within the flock, it was found that the demographic capabilities of Campylobacter, such as mortality and transmission, could not explain the broad biodiversity of sequence types seen, suggesting that external factors such as host‐bird health and seasonality are important elements in maintaining biodiversity of Campylobacter sequence types. Abstract : Campylobacter sequence types display a strongly hierarchical competition structure. Superior competitors at the top of the matrix outcompete the majority of those below them.