root vole Metagenome
The gut microbiota is a current hotspot in ecological research, extensively involved in regulating host metabolism, digestion, immunity, and behavior. However, as most related studies are primarily conducted under laboratory conditions, validation in wildlife populations is urgently needed. This study systematically investigated the effects of population density stress on the gut microbiota of root voles in the wild using metagenomics. It provides new insights into understanding population fluctuations and adaptive mechanisms in small mammals from the perspective of gut microbiota.