Human activity can influence the gut microbiota of Darwin's finches in the Galapagos Islands

Human activity in the Galápagos Islands alters the gut microbiota of Darwin's finches, with significant differences observed between species and sites. The study found that small ground finches (Geospiza fuliginosa) and medium ground finches (Geospiza fortis) exhibit distinct bacterial diversity patterns depending on human presence—medium ground finches show reduced bacterial diversity in areas with humans, while small ground finches remain unaffected. Contrary to predictions, the greatest microbial divergence between species occurred in human-influenced sites, highlighting complex interactions between diet, environment, and gut microbiota. The research compared finch microbiota across sites with varying human influence, using dietary preferences as a key factor, providing insights into how anthropogenic changes reshape ecological and evolutionary processes.

Knutie, S. A., Chaves, J. A., & Gotanda, K. M. (2019). Human activity can influence the gut microbiota of Darwin’s finches in the Galapagos Islands. Molecular Ecology, 28(9), 2441–2450. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15088