Metagenomic Analysis of the Bat Skin Microbiome
This study investigates the skin microbiome of bats using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize bacterial communities associated with the bat patagium (wing membrane). Skin swab samples were collected under sterile conditions from healthy bats, and microbial DNA was extracted for sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequence data were analyzed to determine the taxonomic composition and diversity of the bat skin microbiome. The study provides baseline information on host associated microbial communities and improves our understanding of bat health, microbial ecology, host microbe interactions, and the potential role of skin bacteria in environmental adaptation and disease resistance.