Cloacal microbiota are biogeographically structured in larks from desert, tropical and temperate areas.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In contrast with macroorganisms, that show well-documented biogeographical patterns in distribution associated with local adaptation of physiology, behavior and life history, strong biogeographical patterns have not been found for microorganisms, raising questions about what determines their biogeography. Thus far, large-scale biogeographical studies have focused on free-living microbes, paying little attention to host-associated microbes, which play essential roles in physiology, behavior and life history of their hosts. Investigating cloacal gut microbiota of closely-related, ecologically similar free-living songbird species (Alaudidae, larks) inhabiting desert, temperate and tropical regions, we explored influences of geographical location and host species on α-divers

SUBMITTER: van Veelen HPJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9921332 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature