Comparative Analysis of the Gut Microbiota Composition and Diversity in Erinaceus amurensis from the Wandashan Mountain range area

This study aimed to preliminarily investigate the gut microbial composition and diversity of Erinaceus amurensis during its breeding period. The findings will provide foundational data for future research on the conservation of wild Erinaceus amurensis populations and their potential for experimental animalization. Between April and July 2023, we collected 13 fresh fecal samples from Erinaceus amurensis at the Sishan Forest Farm in Jiedong County, Heilongjiang Province, situated within the Wandashan Mountain range. Utilizing metagenomic sequencing technology, we conducted a comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition and diversity in wild Erinaceus amurensis across different genders and between adult and fetal individuals within the same habitat