Age-Specific Composition and Predicted Function of Gut Microbiota in Plateau Pikas (Ochotona curzoniae).

ABSTRACT: Gut microbes play a crucial role in regulating physiological processes such as host energy metabolism, nutrient absorption, and environmental adaptation. The predicted functions of gut microbes can be influenced by many factors, both extrinsic and intrinsic to the hosts. The plateau pika is a key species in the alpine ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Previous research on the plateau pika primarily examined how extrinsic factors affected its gut microbiota. However, studies on intrinsic factors are scarce. Here, we used live-trapping to capture plateau pikas and collect cecum contents. Using metagenomic sequencing of cecum content samples, we characterized and compared the gut microbial composition and predicted function of plateau pika in adult (n = 9) and juvenile (n

SUBMITTER: Han H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12837580 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature