Comparative fecal microbiome analysis of the endangered Volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi) reveals a microbial core in contrasting habitats of Central Mexico.
Montes-Carreto LM, Arellano-Hernández HD, Guerrero JA, Martinez-Romero E
Soil Health
Understanding how an endangered animal's gut microbiome stays stable across different wild habitats could inform how we protect and manage ecosystems — including the high-altitude grasslands these rabbits depend on, which are themselves threatened by human activity.
The Volcano rabbit, a tiny endangered rabbit living on Mexican volcanoes, carries a surprisingly consistent community of microbes in its gut no matter which volcano it lives near. These microbes — bacteria, fungi, and ancient single-celled organisms called archaea — work together to break down the tough grasses and plant material the rabbits eat. Keeping these microbial communities healthy may be just as important to saving the species as protecting its habitat.
Key Findings
No statistically significant differences in gut microbiome composition were found between the two distant volcano populations (PERMANOVA p-values: bacteria 0.26, archaea 0.21, fungi 0.48), suggesting a stable core microbiome.
Four previously unreported archaeal genera were identified in Volcano rabbit feces — Halomicroarcula, Halomicrobium, Haloplanus, and Sulfolobus — with Sulfolobus found exclusively at one site.
The dominant microbial functions identified were carbohydrate, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism, with transferases, hydrolases, and oxidoreductases as the most abundant enzymes — consistent with plant fiber digestion.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists compared the gut bacteria, fungi, and archaea of the endangered Volcano rabbit across two volcanic regions in Mexico and found a consistent core microbiome despite different environments. These microbes appear critical for helping the rabbits digest tough plant fibers, which has implications for conservation of this critically endangered species.
Abstract Preview
Herbivores show a larger microbial diversity in their guts than omnivores or carnivores. Bacterial symbionts expand the host digestion capacity by fermenting cellulose and hemicellulose. Comparison...
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