Ferchiou, Sophia; Fronton, Fanny; Caza, France; Lejeune, Michel; Tornos, Jérémy; Boulinier, Thierry et St-Pierre, Yves 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1948-2041
(2025).
Circulating microbiome DNA in Southern Ocean seabirds: A novel tool for disease surveillance in polar ecosystems
Global Ecology and Conservation
, vol. 62
, nº e03774.
pp. 1-16.
DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03774.
Résumé
Marine ecosystems, particularly in polar regions, are undergoing rapid transformations due to climate change, influencing host-pathogen dynamics in wildlife populations. Seabirds, which form spatially structured social networks, serve as potential sentinels for pathogen surveillance, yet the composition and variability of their blood microbiome remain largely unexplored. The concept of a circulating blood microbiome is relatively new and debated as blood has traditionally been considered sterile. However, emerging evidence suggests that circulating microbial DNA (cmDNA) represents a transient microbial signature, potentially offering insights into host health, dysbiosis, and disease risks. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and relevance of circulating microbial DNA (cmDNA) as a tool for pathogen surveillance in wild seabird populations. We identified inter-annual variability, sex-related, and age-related variability in blood microbiome composition, with core microbial signatures differing across sites and time periods. We also observed sex-biased microbial prevalence and age-related microbiome maturation, with dynamic shifts in diversity across chick developmental stages. Finally, we detected several potential pathogens, providing new insights into their distribution, prevalence, and potential implications for seabird health. These findings highlight the value of cmDNA analysis as an effective approach for wildlife disease surveillance and pathogen monitoring in polar ecosystems, contributing to broader efforts in marine conservation and biosecurity in the face of climate change-driven environmental shifts.
| Type de document: | Article |
|---|---|
| Informations complémentaires: | This research was funded by the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Grant No. x-2019–06607 and No. ALLRP 586438 – 23, Y.S.P.) and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec-Nature et Technologies (S.F., F.F.). |
| Mots-clés libres: | Blood; Seabirds; Microbiome; Sub-polar ecosystems; 16S rRNA gene |
| Centre: | Centre INRS-Institut Armand Frappier |
| Date de dépôt: | 12 févr. 2026 16:12 |
| Dernière modification: | 12 févr. 2026 16:12 |
| URI: | https://espace.inrs.ca/id/eprint/16630 |
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