Experimental validation of small mammal gut microbiota sampling from faeces and from caecum after death.. Experimental validation of small mammal gut microbiota sampling from faeces and from caecum after death.

In a controlled experiment profiling microbial 16S-rRNA in 52 house mice (Mus musculus) from 8 families and 4 genetic backgrounds, we studied the effects of live and snap trapping on small mammal GM and evaluated the suitability of microbiota from non-fresh faeces as a proxy for caecal GM. We compared caecal microbiota of individuals sampled 16-18 hours after death and those enclosed in live traps with caged controls, as well as caecal and faecal GM collected from mice in live-traps.