Gut microbes and feeding habits of two subterranean rodents from the Eurasian steppe in China
As the most numerous group of mammals, rodents have very rich ecotypes and are ideal subjects for studying diet and host gut microecology. Different from generalized herbivorous rodents, in order to adapt to underground life, zokors feed on the underground parts of grassland plants and are specialized herbivorous rodents. There are two species of the genus Myospalax in the Eurasian steppes in China, one is the NorthChina Zokor that inhabits meadow grasslands and forest edge areas, and the other is the Steppe Zokor that inhabits typical grassland areas. So far, how do the dietary choices of both species adapt to long-term underground life, and how do they relate to their gut microbes? Are there unique indicator species in the gut microbial community? Issues such as the ability of the two animals to degrade cellulose are not yet clear. This provides new insights into how rodents living under long-term camps in grassland areas respond to changes in food conditions.