Structure of Chimpanzee Gut Microbiomes across Tropical Africa.

ABSTRACT: Understanding variation in host-associated microbial communities is important given the relevance of microbiomes to host physiology and health. Using 560 fecal samples collected from wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) across their range, we assessed how geography, genetics, climate, vegetation, and diet relate to gut microbial community structure (prokaryotes, eukaryotic parasites) at multiple spatial scales. We observed a high degree of regional specificity in the microbiome composition, which was associated with host genetics, available plant foods, and potentially with cultural differences in tool use, which affect diet. Genetic differences drove community composition at large scales, while vegetation and potentially tool use drove within-region differences, likely due to their influenc

SUBMITTER: Bueno de Mesquita CP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8269259 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature