Unveiling the gut microbiota and resistome of wild cotton-mice, Peromyscus gossypinus, from heavy metal and radionuclide-contaminated sites in the Southeastern US.. Peromyscus gossypinus microbiome

We present a comprehensive analysis of gut bacteria associated with wild cotton mice, Peromyscus gossypinus, trapped from several areas affected by legacies of HM and radionuclide contamination. We explore how these contaminants affect gut microbial community (GMC) composition and diversity, and the enrichment of antibiotic, biocide, and metal-resistance genes. Although, we were able to identify that a myriad of co-occurring antimicrobial and HM resistance genes appear in mice from all areas including those without a history of contamination, the proportions of co-occurring ARGs and MRGs is higher in sites with radionuclide contamination. These results support several previous studies and enhance our understanding of the co-selection process, while providing new insights into the ubiquity of antimicrobial resistance in the resistome of wild animals.