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Vertebrate bacterial gut diversity: size also matters
Jean-Jacques Godon1, Pugazhendi Arulazhagan2,3, Jean-Philippe Steyer2
1UR0050, Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l'Environnement, INRA, 102 avenue des étangs, 11100, Narbonne, France. jean-jacques.godon@supagro.inra.fr.
Animal body mass is a key factor influencing gut microbial diversity across vertebrates. Larger animals tend to have greater bacterial diversity in their guts, following a predictable pattern.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Zoology
- Biogeography
Background:
- Understanding drivers of microbial diversity is central to ecology.
- Body size is a known driver in many ecosystems, but its effect on gut microbes is understudied.
- Previous research focused on age, diet, phylogeny, and gut structure, neglecting body size.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gut volume and bacterial diversity in vertebrates.
- To determine if body size influences gut microbial composition.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed fecal samples from 71 vertebrate species (mammals, birds, reptiles).
- Covered a wide body mass range (5.6 log).
- Assessed bacterial diversity using the Simpson Diversity Index from 16S rDNA gene fingerprinting.
Main Results:
- Bacterial diversity increased with animal body mass across species.
- This relationship followed a power law (slope z = 0.338 ± 0.027).
- The pattern held true regardless of age, diet, phylogeny, or digestive tract structure.
Conclusions:
- Gut volume is a significant driver of gut microbial diversity.
- Gut microbiota characteristics align with general biogeographical principles observed in other ecological systems.
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