African wildlife scat sheds light on what shapes the gut ecosystem

African wildlife scat sheds light on what shapes the gut ecosystem

A study of elephants, giraffes and other wildlife in Namibia's Etosha National Park underscores the ways in which the environment, biological sex, and anatomical distinctions can drive variation in the gut microbiomes across plant-eating species. Because the gut microbiome plays a critical role in animal health, the work can be used to inform conservation efforts.

African Wildlife Droppings Reveal Key Factors Shaping Gut Ecosystems

In an extraordinary expedition into the intricate microcosm of the digestive systems of Namibia’s herbivorous wildlife, researchers have unveiled compelling insights about the gut microbiomes of elephants, giraffes, and other grazers inhabiting Etosha National Park. This study transcends conventional ecological research by illuminating how environmental conditions, biological sex, and anatomical diversities collectively orchestrate the microbial…