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Data from: Are fecal samples an appropriate proxy for amphibian intestinal microbiota?

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Feb 14, 2024 version files 3.97 GB

Abstract

The intestinal microbiota, an invisible organ supporting a host’s survival, has essential roles in metabolism, immunity, growth, and development. Since intestinal microbiota influences a host’s biology, application of such data to wildlife conservation has gained interest. There are standard protocols for studying the human intestinal microbiota, but no equivalent for wildlife. A major challenge is sampling the intestinal microbiota in an effective, unbiased way. Fecal samples are a popular proxy for intestinal microbiota because collection is non-invasive, convenient, and allows for longitudinal sampling. Yet, it is unclear whether the fecal microbiota is representative of the intestinal microbiota. In amphibians, research on sampling methodology is limited. In this study, we characterize and compare microbiota (small intestine, large intestine, feces) of two Hong Kong stream-dwelling frog species: Lesser Spiny Frog (Quasipaa exilispinosa), and Hong Kong Cascade Frog (Amolops hongkongensis). We found that both species have similar dominant phyla and families, but diverge in terms of the dominant genera. Next, we assess the performance of fecal microbiota in representing the intestinal microbiota in these two species. We found that (1) microbiota of small and large intestine differs significantly, (2) feces are not an appropriate proxy of both intestinal sections, and (3) a set of microbial taxa significantly differs between sample types. Our cautions equating fecal and intestinal microbiota. Sampling feces can avoid sacrifice of an animal, but researchers should avoid over-extrapolation and interpret results carefully.