A metabolite-dependent mechanism by which B. animalis subsp. lactis promotes Bacteroides colonization description

These 16S rRNA gene amplicon data were generated as part of a study investigating metabolite-mediated interactions between early human gut colonizers. The work examined how Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis influences the colonization and growth of Bacteroides spp. through cross-feeding of specific metabolites. Murine fecal samples were collected during controlled colonization experiments in which mice were inoculated with B. animalis subsp. lactis, Bacteroides fragilis, or sequential combinations of both species. The 16S metataxonomic profiling was performed to monitor microbial community dynamics, quantify colonization levels, and assess how metabolite-dependent interactions shape early gut ecosystem structure. These data support the characterization of microbial shifts associated with metabolite provisioning and the establishment of Bacteroides within the gut environment.