Fecal Microbiome Changes Following Coccidial Infection in Black Footed Ferrets
This project aims to characterize the fecal microbiome of black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Fecal samples were collected from individuals both prior to and following experimental infection with Coccidia spp., a common gastrointestinal parasite. The study seeks to identify shifts in microbial community composition, diversity, and functional potential associated with infection. The resulting dataset will provide insights into host-microbiome-parasite interactions and may inform conservation and disease management strategies for this endangered species.