Seasonal Changes in Gut Microbiota Diversity and Composition in the Greater Horseshoe Bat.

ABSTRACT: A large number of microorganisms colonize the intestines of animals. The gut microbiota plays an important role in nutrient metabolism and affects a number of physiological mechanisms in the host. Studies have shown that seasonal changes occur in the intestinal microbes of mammals that hibernate seasonally. However, these studies only focused on ground squirrels and bears. It remains unclear how hibernation might affect the intestinal microbes of bats. In this study, we measured microbial diversity and composition in the gut of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum in different periods (early spring, early summer, late summer, torpor, and interbout arousal) using 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing and PICRUSt to predict functional profiles. We found seasonal changes in the diversity and

SUBMITTER: Xiao G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6779692 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature