Chapters authored
Application of Metagenomics to Chilean Aquaculture
Aquaculture is a rapidly expanding food production sector, facing the challenge of growth both increasing its efficiency and reducing its negative impact on the environment. Metagenomics is an emerging tool in aquaculture that helps to understand the complex host (fish-shellfish)-microbiota-pathogen-environment relationship underlying disease outbreaks, monitoring the dynamics of microbial diversity in farmed animals subject to different environmental conditions or perturbations. As Chile takes an important share of world aquaculture market, this chapter reviews the actual and potential applications of metagenomics to support a sustainable expansion and diversification of Chilean aquaculture. The focus is on (i) the role and function of the gut microbiota in the proper immunostimulation and disease control and (ii) the role of metagenomics in monitoring environmental microbial biodiversity and dynamics in relation to disease persistence and ecosystem stability. We conclude that despite the importance of the aquaculture sector in Chile, the application of metagenomics to deal with disease control and ecosystem preservation is still an emerging field of study. Understanding host (fish-shellfish)-microbiota-pathogen-environment diversity of interactions in a more holistic view, i.e., the holobiome approach, could be key to develop rational strategies to improve productivity by increasing resistance to diseases and reducing the use of antibiotics and their negative environmental impact.
Part of the book: Metagenomics
Hypersaline Lagoons from Chile, the Southern Edge of the World
Hypersaline lagoons distributed in arid and semiarid regions are unique ecosystems with unique value stemming from their extremophile biodiversity, limnological properties and services, like mining and waterbird habitat. They are natural laboratories to understand how life evolved in extreme environments and how simple ecosystems function to provide waterbird habitat, an essential noneconomic service. Policymakers need this knowledge to protect these ecosystems increasingly affected by climatic change and human-driven perturbations. Hypersaline lagoons from contrasting latitudinal conditions in Chile provide a study case to evaluate how such conditions affect their microscopic and macroscopic diversities. Those in the hyperarid Atacama Desert in northern Chile are an integral part of mineral-rich salars, whereas Patagonian lagoons are unique among freshwater lakes of glacier origin. Despite latitudinal differences, prokaryotic diversity tends to be similar in both extremes. However, genetically distant brine shrimp (Artemia) species, A. franciscana (north) and A. persimilis (Patagonia), inhabit them. This crustacean is a keystone taxon in the food web, and its abundance indicates ecosystem quality and attracts waterbirds. This chapter stresses the need to systematically monitoring Artemia abundance and all factors affecting its fitness (gut microbiota, parasites, environmental conditions). Finally, the need to conserve these unique and extreme ecosystems is highlighted.
Part of the book: Lagoon Environments Around the World