Age‐Based Variations in the Gut Microbiome of the Shennongjia (Hubei) Golden Snub‐Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana hubeiensis)

A comprehensive analysis of the gut microbiome in Shennongjia golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana hubeiensis) reveals significant age-based variations, with older individuals exhibiting greater microbial diversity. The study identified 28 microbial phyla across three age groups, highlighting a dynamic shift in gut microbiota composition from early developmental stages to adulthood. Using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V4 region, researchers found that Group 3 (above 12 years) contained the highest number and diversity of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), suggesting an increasing complexity with age. This is the first study to provide detailed insights into the gut microbiota of this endangered primate, offering valuable data for health monitoring and conservation efforts.

Yao, L., Li, X., Zhou, Z., Shi, D., Li, Z., Li, S., Yao, H., Yang, J., Yu, H., & Xiao, Y. (2021). Age‐Based Variations in the Gut Microbiome of the Shennongjia (Hubei) Golden Snub‐Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana hubeiensis). BioMed Research International, 2021(1). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6667715