Gut microbiome plasticity explains the altitudinal distribution pattern and adaptability in a small mammal species (<i>Apodemus draco</i>).

ABSTRACT: Altitudinal distribution patterns of species, a central focus of ecology, predominantly focus on environmental factors and only rarely on the host's intrinsic adaptive capacity. Particularly, the role of gut microbiota has not yet been studied. Here, we used the wild South China Field Mouse (Apodemus draco), a widely distributed small mammal species, as the study subject to investigate the altitudinal distribution pattern of the species and assess how gut microbiota contributes to the formation of this pattern. A total of 219 wild samples were captured in the middle section of the Qionglai Mountains, China, and 121 adult individuals were selected for metagenomic sequencing (e.g., gut microbial diversity, network topology, composition, and functional profiles). Vegetation cover of ea

SUBMITTER: Yun Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12772343 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature