The Comparison of Gut Microbiome and Common Antibiotic Resistance Genes between Plateau Pika and Plateau Zokor

Plateau Pika (Ochotona curzoniae) and plateau zokor (Eospalax baileyi) are two dominant small mammals in the Tibetan Plateau. The gut microbes of their play an important role in plateau adaptability. In addition, as wildlifes, their gut microbes may carry and spread antibiotic resistance genes. Ultimately, these antibiotic resistance genes may be lead to invalidity of antibiotic drugs. Thus, it is vital to research the gut microbes antibiotic resistance genes in two species. In this study, characteristics of gut microbes had been obtained and antibiotic resistance genes had been detected by 16SrRNA gene sequencing and qPCR. At level of phyla, Bacteroidetes were mainly enriched in plateau zokors, yet Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and some of others were enriched in plateau pikas. At level of genus, Bacteroides and S24-7 (UG) were primarily enriched in plateau zokors, but Prevotella , Oscillospira , YRC22 and Ruminococcaceae (UG) were enriched in plateau pikas. Most of these gut microbes have the ability to digest polysaccharides. Both composition and diversity of gut microbes are different in plateau pikas and plateau zokors. Comparing with plateau zokors, alpha diversity of plateau pikas is higher. The difference of community structure between two species is obvious. This may be caused by different diet or species. Antibiotic resistance genes had appeared in both of two species, three kinds of antibiotic resistance genes had been detected including Tetracyclines resistance genes containing tetQ, tetM-01 and tetG-01, sulfonamides resistance genes containing sul1 and sul2, multidrug resistance gene containing floR. A part of antibiotic resistance genes are related to some of gut microbes. It is presented that antibiotic resistance genes also appear and accumulate in wildlifes and transform to human beings, it may be harmful to human health. We might be able to prohibit the accumulation and transmission of antibiotic resistance genes via regulating gut microbes.