feces metagenome Targeted loci environmental. feces metagenome

This study investigated the relationship between photoperiod, gut microbiota, and behavior in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). To explore the role of gut bacteria in the expression of seasonal behavior, we utilized fecal microbiota transplant to implant long-day housed hamsters with the gut microbiota of hamsters housed in short-day conditions (and vice versa), measured aggressive behavior after several weeks, and collected fecal samples at various time points. The results indicate that photoperiod-dependent changes in the gut microbiota are a driver of seasonal aggression, and that certain OTUs are correlated with aggression. To investigate the alternative hypothesis that additional microbiotas also contribute to seasonal changes in behavior, cheek pouch and cecal microbiotas were also sequenced. Neither treatment nor photoperiod affected cheek pouch or cecal communities, thus the alternative hypothesis was rejected. However, there were significant differences between the community types of the three microbiotas, indicating the microbial diversity that exists among tissues, even within the same host. Ultimately, the results of this study further clarify the interaction between animal physiology, behavior, and the environment.

本研究探究了西伯利亚仓鼠（Phodopus sungorus）的光周期、肠道微生物群与行为之间的关联。为探明肠道细菌在季节性行为表达中的作用，本研究采用粪便微生物群移植技术，将短光照饲养仓鼠的肠道微生物群植入长光照饲养仓鼠体内（反之亦然）；于数周后测定其攻击行为，并在多个时间点采集粪便样本。研究结果显示，肠道微生物群随光周期的变化是季节性攻击行为的驱动因素，且特定操作分类单元（Operational Taxonomic Unit, OTU）与攻击行为存在相关性。为验证“其他微生物群亦参与行为季节性变化”这一备择假设，本研究同时对颊囊及盲肠微生物群进行了测序。无论是干预手段还是光周期，均未对颊囊或盲肠微生物群落产生影响，因此该备择假设未获支持。但三类微生物群的群落类型间存在显著差异，这表明即便在同一宿主体内，不同组织间的微生物多样性亦存在差异。综上，本研究结果进一步阐明了动物生理、行为与环境之间的相互作用。