Functional potential of gut microbiota in Rhinolophus ferrumequinum revealed by 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics

ABSTRACT: Insectivorous bats depend on insects while sustaining high-energy flight and specialised immune tolerance. Gut microbiota may contribute to host energy utilisation and immune regulation, but their functions remain unclear. We investigated the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) using 16S rRNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics to characterise gut microbial structure and metabolic features at both structural and functional levels. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla. Lipid oxidation, tryptophan, and tyrosine metabolism pathways were significantly enriched. The core microbiota was strongly associated with multiple energy-related, immune-related, and neuroactive metabolites. These findings suggest that gut microbiota may support the host’s energy-intensive life history by regulating energy metabolism and immune-related metabolic networks, providing new insight into bat host-microbe co-adaptation.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - alternating - hilic, Liquid Chromatography MS - negative - hilic

PROVIDER: MTBLS14955 | MetaboLights | 2026-09-13

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights