A comprehensive atlas of the bonobo gut bacteriome and its associated host and exposome factors

Summary: In great apes, the gut bacteriome shapes key physiological functions and is influenced by both the exposome and the host. Yet, isolating these independent contributions remains challenging. We sequenced 644 fecal samples from 212 wild and zoo-housed bonobos (Pan paniscus), matched with deta...

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Main Authors: Jonas R.R. Torfs, Mélodie Kreyer, Stijn Wittouck, Sarah Ahannach, Barbara Fruth, Sarah Lebeer, Marcel Eens, Nicky Staes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Cell Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221112472500899X
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author Jonas R.R. Torfs
Mélodie Kreyer
Stijn Wittouck
Sarah Ahannach
Barbara Fruth
Sarah Lebeer
Marcel Eens
Nicky Staes
author_facet Jonas R.R. Torfs
Mélodie Kreyer
Stijn Wittouck
Sarah Ahannach
Barbara Fruth
Sarah Lebeer
Marcel Eens
Nicky Staes
author_sort Jonas R.R. Torfs
collection DOAJ
description Summary: In great apes, the gut bacteriome shapes key physiological functions and is influenced by both the exposome and the host. Yet, isolating these independent contributions remains challenging. We sequenced 644 fecal samples from 212 wild and zoo-housed bonobos (Pan paniscus), matched with detailed data collection on host and exposome factors. This standardized dataset reveals clear differences in gut bacterial diversity and composition between wild and captive bonobos. Within the controlled zoo-housed cohort, factors such as age, transit time, diet, early life adversity, and medication use influence gut bacterial structure. Notably, social contact emerges as a stronger predictor of bacteriome similarity than genetics or other exposome factors, while maternal effects persist even in non-cohabiting mother-offspring dyads. By offering a unique, comprehensive, and standardized dataset, our work paves the way for future research into microbiome ecology, providing insights with far-reaching implications for both human and animal health in an increasingly industrialized world.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2211-1247
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publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Elsevier
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series Cell Reports
spelling doaj-art-4a5c46bddab942dc9f3906fbca089f442025-08-20T04:01:57ZengElsevierCell Reports2211-12472025-08-0144811612810.1016/j.celrep.2025.116128A comprehensive atlas of the bonobo gut bacteriome and its associated host and exposome factorsJonas R.R. Torfs0Mélodie Kreyer1Stijn Wittouck2Sarah Ahannach3Barbara Fruth4Sarah Lebeer5Marcel Eens6Nicky Staes7Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; Zoo Antwerp Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium; Corresponding authorZoo Antwerp Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium; Max-Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Konstanz, GermanyLaboratory of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumLaboratory of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; U-MaMi Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumZoo Antwerp Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium; Max-Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Konstanz, GermanyLaboratory of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; U-MaMi Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumBehavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, BelgiumBehavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Zoo Antwerp Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium; Corresponding authorSummary: In great apes, the gut bacteriome shapes key physiological functions and is influenced by both the exposome and the host. Yet, isolating these independent contributions remains challenging. We sequenced 644 fecal samples from 212 wild and zoo-housed bonobos (Pan paniscus), matched with detailed data collection on host and exposome factors. This standardized dataset reveals clear differences in gut bacterial diversity and composition between wild and captive bonobos. Within the controlled zoo-housed cohort, factors such as age, transit time, diet, early life adversity, and medication use influence gut bacterial structure. Notably, social contact emerges as a stronger predictor of bacteriome similarity than genetics or other exposome factors, while maternal effects persist even in non-cohabiting mother-offspring dyads. By offering a unique, comprehensive, and standardized dataset, our work paves the way for future research into microbiome ecology, providing insights with far-reaching implications for both human and animal health in an increasingly industrialized world.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221112472500899XCP: Microbiology
spellingShingle Jonas R.R. Torfs
Mélodie Kreyer
Stijn Wittouck
Sarah Ahannach
Barbara Fruth
Sarah Lebeer
Marcel Eens
Nicky Staes
A comprehensive atlas of the bonobo gut bacteriome and its associated host and exposome factors
Cell Reports
CP: Microbiology
title A comprehensive atlas of the bonobo gut bacteriome and its associated host and exposome factors
title_full A comprehensive atlas of the bonobo gut bacteriome and its associated host and exposome factors
title_fullStr A comprehensive atlas of the bonobo gut bacteriome and its associated host and exposome factors
title_full_unstemmed A comprehensive atlas of the bonobo gut bacteriome and its associated host and exposome factors
title_short A comprehensive atlas of the bonobo gut bacteriome and its associated host and exposome factors
title_sort comprehensive atlas of the bonobo gut bacteriome and its associated host and exposome factors
topic CP: Microbiology
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221112472500899X
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