Hamster seasonal microbiota and behavior

This study investigated the relationship between photoperiod, gut microbiota, and behavior in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). To explore the role of gut bacteria in the expression of seasonal behavior, we utilized fecal microbiota transplant to implant long-day housed hamsters with the gut microbiota of hamsters housed in short-day conditions (and vice versa), measured aggressive behavior after several weeks, and collected fecal samples at various time points. The results indicate that photoperiod-dependent changes in the gut microbiota are a driver of seasonal aggression, and that certain OTUs are correlated with aggression. To investigate the alternative hypothesis that additional microbiotas also contribute to seasonal changes in behavior, cheek pouch and cecal microbiotas were also sequenced. Neither treatment nor photoperiod affected cheek pouch or cecal communities, thus the alternative hypothesis was rejected. However, there were significant differences between the community types of the three microbiotas, indicating the microbial diversity that exists among tissues, even within the same host. Ultimately, the results of this study further clarify the interaction between animal physiology, behavior, and the environment.