Harmony in diversity: exploring the rich microbiomes of South American wildlife

Colombia and northern South America is known as a biodiversity hotspot, but at the basis of that diversity is the microbial communities. With recent advances in metagenomics, the microbial communities and genomic composition has started to be characterised by unveiling a whole new world that is highly interconnected with macro-organisms and the environment.

This webinar will illustrate the intricate world of microbial communities associated with diverse South American fauna. From the high-altitude realms of neotropical bumblebees to the depths of coral reefs, we'll journey through the microbiome landscapes of beings like spectacled bears, woolly monkeys, lichens, shrimps, among others. Discover the unseen connections shaping the health and resilience of these unique ecosystems.

You may either watch the entire presentation from the introduction or navigate directly to a specific section by clicking the links provided below:

• Introduction

• Exploring microbial diversity in pacific corals

• How do probiotic species protect shrimp from disease?

• The gut microbiota in Andean bears

• Microbiota diversity is related to dietary diversity

• Microbial diversity during the fermentation of cacao

• Q&A

Who is this course for?

This webinar is suitable for anyone interested in microbial ecology. No prior knowledge of bioinformatics is required, but undergraduate level knowledge of biology would be useful.

Outcomes

By the end of the webinar you will be able to:

• Appreciate the diversity of microbiomes across a range of South American animal species
• Recognise the ecological significance of these microbial communities in maintaining the health and balance of various ecosystems
• Identify potential applications of microbiome research for conservation and wildlife management in the region