Seasonal responses and host uniqueness of gut microbiome of Japanese macaques in lowland Yakushima

A study on the gut microbiome of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) in Yakushima revealed that both diet and host individuality significantly shape microbial composition. Over 13 months, dietary shifts—particularly between leaf-dominated, fruit, and invertebrate-based diets—correlated with changes in gut microbiome diversity and function. Leaf-feeding periods enriched the microbiome with Spirochaetes and Tenericutes, while fruit and invertebrate consumption showed opposite trends. The research highlights the dual influence of environmental factors (diet) and host uniqueness on microbial communities, suggesting that macaques rely heavily on microbial fermentation to process otherwise indigestible plant material.

Sawada, A., Hayakawa, T., Kurihara, Y., Lee, W., & Hanya, G. (2022). Seasonal responses and host uniqueness of gut microbiome of Japanese macaques in lowland Yakushima. Animal Microbiome, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-022-00205-9