Pika Nitrogen Recycling Microbiome

This dataset contains metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from a study investigating the gut microbiota's role in the high-altitude adaptation of the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). The data elucidate the mechanism of microbiota-driven urea nitrogen recycling for maintaining protein homeostasis during winter protein restriction. Crucially, this study reveals an interspecific microbial transfer from sympatric yaks to pikas via coprophagy, where key ureolytic bacteria (e.g., Alistipes) enhance the host's metabolic capacity. These MAGs represent the key functional microbial genomes facilitating this novel symbiotic interaction and host adaptation.