Seasonal Changes in the Structure and Function of Gut Microbiota in the Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus).

ABSTRACT: The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the nutrition, metabolism, and immune function of the host animal. The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a typical seasonal breeding animal. The present study performed a metagenomic analysis of cecum contents from muskrats in the breeding and non-breeding seasons. The results indicated that the breeding muskrats and non-breeding muskrats differed in gut microbiota structure and function. During the breeding season, the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes, genus Prevotella, and genus Alistipes increased, while the relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes and phylum Actinobacteria decreased. The muskrat gut microbiota was enriched in the metabolism-related pathways, especially amino acid and vitamin metabolism, and genetica

SUBMITTER: Song F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9966595 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature