Host evolutionary history is a key factor shaping the earthworm cast microbiome, although its effect can be shadowed by the earthworm’s diet. To untangle dietary from taxon effects, we raised nine earthworm species on a uniform diet of cow manure and compared cast microbiome across species while controlling for diet.
Host taxonomy determines the composition, structure, and diversity of the earthworm cast microbiome under homogenous feeding conditions
August 4, 2022