Gut Virome of the World’s Highest-Elevation Lizard Species ( <i>Phrynocephalus erythrurus</i> and <i>Phrynocephalus theobaldi</i> ) Reveals Versatile Commensal Viruses
Juan Lü, Shixing Yang, Chunmei Wang, Hao Wang, Ga Gong, Xi Yuan, Jiamin Pan, Xiaochun Wang, Jian Zeng, Ju Zhang, Peng Li, Quan Shen, Tongling Shan, Wen Zhang
Abstract
lizards inhabiting the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) are considered to be the highest-altitude lizard species in the world, and they have been added to the IUCN list of threatened species. Living in the QTP with hypoxic, arid, natural conditions, the lizards presented a unique pattern of gut virome, which could provide both positive and negative effects, such as the enrichment of functional genes and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This work provides the foundation for further research on the gut virome in these endangered lizard species and other cold-blooded and highland-dwelling animals, contributing to the maintenance of ecological balance on the plateau.