Parasite-microbiome study of woodrat fecal microbiome

We investigated whether wild Neotoma albigula in Castle Valley, UT hosted different gut microbial communities based on whether they hosted a parasite infection. Parasites have been shown to change the host gut microbiome in experimental settings, but the relationships between parasitism and the microbiome have not been studied in natural settings. Neotoma albigula rely on their gut microbiome to degrade toxins and dietary fiber in their native diets, so changes to the microbiome could be detrimental to their success. We held animals on a consistent diet in temporary captivity and collected fecal samples to test whether the gut microbial communities differed based on infection.