Gut microbiome colonization in captive lemurs

Gut microbiota are inextricably tied to host development and, by extension, all components of life history. Microbial colonization primes the gut metabolism and physiology, thereby setting the stage for adult nutrition and health. The ecological rules governing microbial succession are poorly understood, however. In this study, we examined the relationship between host lineage, diet, and life stage and gut microbiota characteristics in three lemur species (infraorder, Lemuriformes). Fecal samples were collected from captive lemur mothers and their infants, from birth to weaning. Microbial DNA was extracted and the v4 region of 16S rDNA was sequenced on the Illumina platform using protocols from the Earth Microbiome Project.