Gut microbiome of house sparrows during experimental Plasmodium relictum infection

The gut microbiome can contribute to host health through defense against pathogens. However, links between the host gut microbiome and resistance to infection have been primarily investigated in humans and lab-bred rodents, so we do not know to what extent this relationship exists in wild animals. To fill this knowledge gap, we used an experimental malaria inoculation with Plasmodium relictum in wild-caught house sparrows (Passer domesticus, n = 18) to examine interactions of the host gut microbiome and resistance to avian malaria infection. Before and after inoculation, we collected blood samples to quantify circulating parasitemia and fecal samples to evaluate the gut microbiome through amplification and sequencing of the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. We found that gut microbiome alpha diversity (species richness and evenness) and beta diversity (community composition) were not significantly different between infected and resistant sparrows prior to or during malaria infec..., Prior to and during experimental Plasmodium relictum infection, fecal samples were collected from house sparrows (Passer domesticus) to evaluate the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome. Fecal DNA was extracted and the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. In tandem, we collected blood smears before and after inoculation to quantify circulating parasite loads. As part of another project, half of the sparrows were exposed to mitotane; these sparrows were not included in the present analyis., , # Gut microbiome of house sparrows during experimental Plasmodium relictum infection

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.69p8cz9cf](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.69p8cz9cf)

## Description of the data and file structure

Prior to and during experimental *Plasmodium relictum* infection, fecal samples were collected from house sparrows (*Passer domesticus*) to evaluate the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome. Fecal DNA was extracted and the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. In tandem, we collected blood smears before and after inoculation to quantify circulating parasite loads. As part of another project, half of the sparrows were exposed to mitotane; these sparrows were not included in the present analyis.

### Files and variables

#### File: R\_indicator\_ASV\_-\_rarefied.xlsx

**Description:** Datafile for indicator species analysis.

##### Variables

* HOSP = house sparrow ID
* SAMPLE_TYPE = house sparrow (feces)
* MALARIA = infected (2) or resistant (1)
...