Gut microbiome is accociated with personality traits of free-ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana)
In an effort to address this gap, a study was carried out among wild Tibetan macaques, utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) to delineate three personality dimensions: Social, Shy, and Anxious. The findings pointed to a significant correlation between the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota and shyness, suggesting a potential linkage between structure of the microbiota and personality traits. Additionally, through the application of qualitative and quantitative methods, 12 taxonomic groups associated with personality traits were identified. Among these, 11 taxa were found to be related to sociability, including Veillonellaceae and Akkermansiaceae, while one specific taxon, Oscillospiraceae, was linked to shyness. Functionally, the analysis suggests that key metabolic pathways, including those involved in short-chain fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, cofactor metabolism, and the phosphotransferase system, are potentially crucial in forming the personality traits observed in Tibetan macaques. Our research not only enhances our insight into the gut-brain axis but also has implications for wildlife conservation, emphasizing the significance of microbial health in animal behavior. The findings open up new avenues for further exploration into the intricate relationship between gut microbiota, personality, and conservation efforts.