Are they different? Investigating the gut microbiome of Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei) Beringei

Title

Are they different? Investigating the gut microbiome of Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei) Beringei

Published Date

2022-12-22

Publisher

Type

Image
Presentation

Abstract

The gastrointestinal microbiomes of different primate species can always be distinguished from one another, a pattern mainly driven by each species' unique diet and environment. A potential adaption in response to this unique environment that has been poorly explored in mountain gorillas is their gut microbiome – the community of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses residing in their gastrointestinal tract, which play important roles in health and nutrition. Mountain gorillas have evolved specific adaptations to fit an energetically restricted diet, mainly composed of leaves, pith, herbs bark, and unripe fruit. Mammals do not have specialized digestive enzymes to break down fibrous plants, their gut microbiome provides the only way to recover otherwise unavailable metabolic energy in these compounds through their breaking down, fermentation, and production of short-chain fatty acids. Objective: Investigated if the gut microbiome of mountain gorillas reflects adaptations to specialized diets in extreme environments and living in social groups by characterizing their fecal bacterial communities.

Keywords

Description

Related to

Replaces

License

Series/Report Number

Funding information

Isbn identifier

Doi identifier

Previously Published Citation

Other identifiers

Suggested citation

Ward, Zoe; Gomez, Andres; Mthewtha, Nonsikelelo. (2022). Are they different? Investigating the gut microbiome of Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei) Beringei. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/256046.

Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.