Gut microbiota diversity of an endangered primate is affected by habitat fragmentation: implications for health and conservation.. Red colobus gut microbiota

Differences in land use related to agriculture are decreasing the pristine forest areas worldwide. Several indexes of biodiversity are currently used to measure degradation. Here we looked at changes in gut microbiota as an indicator of environmental degradation. To understand the impact of human agriculture and deforestation on the gut microbiota of free ranging red colobus (Procolobus gordonorum), we sampled animals inhabiting two geographically distinct forests located in the Udzungwa Mountains, of Tanzania from either human disturbed or undisturbed forests. Analysis microbial species shows a marked diversification of gut microbiota across habitats. The observed decrease in gut microbiota biodiversity in human colonized areas could be associated with the diversity in diet in natural versus human-modified habitats.