Effects of Microhabitat Temperature Variations on the Gut Microbiotas of Free-Living Hibernating Animals
Sen Liu, Yanhong Xiao, Xufan Wang, Dongge Guo, Yanmei Wang, Ying Wang, Ying Wang, Ying Wang
Abstract
Temperature variations affect gut microbiome diversity and structure in both ectothermic and endothermic animals. Here, we aimed to characterize temperature-induced changes in the gut microbiotas of adjacent natural populations of the least horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus pusillus) which hibernate at different ambient temperatures. We found that the ambient temperature significantly affected the α-diversity, but not the β-diversity, of the gut microbiota. Bats hibernating at cooler temperatures experienced more drastic shifts in gut microbiome structure, with consequent effects on energy-related metabolic pathways. Our results provide novel insights into the effects of ambient temperature on the gut microbiotas of hibernating animals.