Investigation of Intestinal Microbes of Five Zokor Species Based on 16S rRNA Sequences
Zokor is a group of subterranean rodents that are adapted to underground life and feed on plant roots. Here, we investigated the intestinal microbes of five zokor species (<i>Eospalax cansus</i>, <i>Eospalax rothschildi</i>, <i>Eospalax smithi</i>, <i>Myospa...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Yao Zou Quan Zou Hui Yang Chongxuan Han |
| author_facet | Yao Zou Quan Zou Hui Yang Chongxuan Han |
| author_sort | Yao Zou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Zokor is a group of subterranean rodents that are adapted to underground life and feed on plant roots. Here, we investigated the intestinal microbes of five zokor species (<i>Eospalax cansus</i>, <i>Eospalax rothschildi</i>, <i>Eospalax smithi</i>, <i>Myospalax aspalax</i>, and <i>Myospalax psilurus</i>) using 16S amplicon technology combined with bioinformatics. Microbial composition analysis showed similar intestinal microbes but different proportions among five zokor species, and their dominant bacteria corresponded to those of herbivores. To visualize the relationships among samples, PCoA and PERMANOVA tests showed that the intestinal microbes of zokors are largely clustered by host species, but less so by genetics and geographical location. To find microbes that differ among species, LefSe analysis identified <i>Lactobacillus</i>, <i>Muribaculaceae</i>, <i>Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group</i>, <i>unclassified_f_Christensenellaceae</i>, and <i>Desulfovibrio</i> as biomarkers for <i>E. cansus</i>, <i>E. rothschildi</i>, <i>E. smithi</i>, <i>M. aspalax,</i> and <i>M. psilurus</i>, respectively. PICRUSt metagenome predictions revealed enriched microbial genes for carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism in <i>E. cansus</i> and <i>E. smithi</i>, and for cofactor and vitamin metabolism as well as glycan biosynthesis and metabolism in <i>E. rothschildi</i>, <i>M. aspalax</i>, and <i>M. psilurus</i>. Our results demonstrated differences in the microbial composition and functions among five zokor species, potentially related to host genetics, and host ecology including dietary habits and habitat environment. These works would provide new insight into understanding how subterranean zokors adapt to their habitats by regulating intestinal microbes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2ed1ac36fa7a422e9f61658d87580299 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-2ed1ac36fa7a422e9f61658d875802992025-01-24T13:42:20ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072024-12-011312710.3390/microorganisms13010027Investigation of Intestinal Microbes of Five Zokor Species Based on 16S rRNA SequencesYao Zou0Quan Zou1Hui Yang2Chongxuan Han3Yangtze Delta Region Institute (Quzhou), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Quzhou 324000, ChinaYangtze Delta Region Institute (Quzhou), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Quzhou 324000, ChinaYangtze Delta Region Institute (Quzhou), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Quzhou 324000, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Western Forest Bio-Disaster, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, ChinaZokor is a group of subterranean rodents that are adapted to underground life and feed on plant roots. Here, we investigated the intestinal microbes of five zokor species (<i>Eospalax cansus</i>, <i>Eospalax rothschildi</i>, <i>Eospalax smithi</i>, <i>Myospalax aspalax</i>, and <i>Myospalax psilurus</i>) using 16S amplicon technology combined with bioinformatics. Microbial composition analysis showed similar intestinal microbes but different proportions among five zokor species, and their dominant bacteria corresponded to those of herbivores. To visualize the relationships among samples, PCoA and PERMANOVA tests showed that the intestinal microbes of zokors are largely clustered by host species, but less so by genetics and geographical location. To find microbes that differ among species, LefSe analysis identified <i>Lactobacillus</i>, <i>Muribaculaceae</i>, <i>Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group</i>, <i>unclassified_f_Christensenellaceae</i>, and <i>Desulfovibrio</i> as biomarkers for <i>E. cansus</i>, <i>E. rothschildi</i>, <i>E. smithi</i>, <i>M. aspalax,</i> and <i>M. psilurus</i>, respectively. PICRUSt metagenome predictions revealed enriched microbial genes for carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism in <i>E. cansus</i> and <i>E. smithi</i>, and for cofactor and vitamin metabolism as well as glycan biosynthesis and metabolism in <i>E. rothschildi</i>, <i>M. aspalax</i>, and <i>M. psilurus</i>. Our results demonstrated differences in the microbial composition and functions among five zokor species, potentially related to host genetics, and host ecology including dietary habits and habitat environment. These works would provide new insight into understanding how subterranean zokors adapt to their habitats by regulating intestinal microbes.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/27subterranean rodentsintestinal microbeszokorherbivoresmetabolism |
| spellingShingle | Yao Zou Quan Zou Hui Yang Chongxuan Han Investigation of Intestinal Microbes of Five Zokor Species Based on 16S rRNA Sequences Microorganisms subterranean rodents intestinal microbes zokor herbivores metabolism |
| title | Investigation of Intestinal Microbes of Five Zokor Species Based on 16S rRNA Sequences |
| title_full | Investigation of Intestinal Microbes of Five Zokor Species Based on 16S rRNA Sequences |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of Intestinal Microbes of Five Zokor Species Based on 16S rRNA Sequences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of Intestinal Microbes of Five Zokor Species Based on 16S rRNA Sequences |
| title_short | Investigation of Intestinal Microbes of Five Zokor Species Based on 16S rRNA Sequences |
| title_sort | investigation of intestinal microbes of five zokor species based on 16s rrna sequences |
| topic | subterranean rodents intestinal microbes zokor herbivores metabolism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/27 |
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