The role of gut microbes in satisfying the nutritional demands of adult and juvenile wild, black howler monkeys ( A louatta pigra )

Gut microbes play a significant role in meeting the nutritional demands of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) during growth and reproduction, according to a study conducted at Palenque National Park, Mexico. The research found that adult females and juveniles consume more protein and energy than adult males, with distinct gut microbial communities contributing to their energy balances. Juveniles exhibited high levels of Firmicutes bacteria, such as Roseburia and Ruminococcus, suggesting increased microbial contributions to host energy production. Adult females also showed a higher Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, along with Lactococcus bacteria linked to folate biosynthesis. These findings highlight the importance of gut microbiota in primate nutrition and life history processes, offering new insights into host-microbe relationships.

Amato, K. R., Leigh, S. R., Kent, A., Mackie, R. I., Yeoman, C. J., Stumpf, R. M., Wilson, B. A., Nelson, K. E., White, B. A., & Garber, P. A. (2014). The role of gut microbes in satisfying the nutritional demands of adult and juvenile wild, black howler monkeys ( A louatta pigra ). American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 155(4), 652–664. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22621