Interactions between groups of colobus monkeys explain similarities in their gut microbiome

The data set consists of demographic and behavioural data collected during May - August 2007 and October 2008 - April 2009 and 16S rRNA sequencing of faecal samples collected during the latter part of each observation period from adult female colobus (Colobus vellerosus). We investigated whether social groups have unique gut microbiome signatures and whether diet, relatedness, or social connectedness best explained beta diversity. Social group identity explained a relatively larger percentage of the variation in gut microbiome beta diversity. Connectedness in the 1 m proximity network was a better predictor of beta diversity than diet and relatedness.

本数据集涵盖2007年5月至8月、2008年10月至2009年4月期间采集的人口统计学与行为学数据，以及各观测周期后期采集的成年雌性疣猴（Colobus vellerosus）粪便样本的16S rRNA测序数据。本研究旨在探究社会群体是否存在独特的肠道微生物组特征，以及饮食、亲缘关系或社会联结程度能否最优解释β多样性（beta diversity）。分析结果显示，社会群体身份对肠道微生物组β多样性变异的解释占比相对更高；1米邻近网络中的社会联结程度相较于饮食与亲缘关系，是β多样性更优的预测因子。