Gopherus polyphemus Metagenome

G. polyphemus gut microbiome of the Abacoa Greenway Range VIa. The Florida gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species with over 350 species relying on it and its burrows for survival. Over the past century, however, along with a ~90% habitat decline, the gopher tortoise population has decreased by ~80%. Enteric and respiratory pathogens are currently under investigation as potential threats to gopher tortoise population decline. In other vertebrate taxa, such as mammals, much of the immune system is found within the gut; the microbiota therein have been implicated in immune and neurological function, i.e., gut motility and feeding behavior. Unfortunately, the reptilian gut microbiome is understudied. This study investigated the microbial makeup of the gopher tortoise gut to contribute to conservation efforts. DNA from (N = 26; including 3 from the same tortoise) gopher tortoise fecal samples was extracted for microbiome analysis. Our findings provide insight into the microbiome and health of this species.