Investigating the gut bacteria structure and function of hibernating bats through 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and culturomics

作者：Jian Zhou, Ying Liu, Tao Gu, Jingzhu Zhou, Fengming Chen, Shijun Li · 发表于：mSystems · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1128/msystems.01463-24 · 被引用次数：7 · 研究领域：Gut microbiota and health、Bat Biology and Ecology Studies、Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research

ABSTRACT The gut microbiota of bats is vital for their roles in health and the ecosystem, yet studies on hibernating bats in southwest China, particularly in the unique karst landscape of Guizhou, are limited. We captured three hibernating bat species—Pipistrellus (PB), Rhinolophus (RB), and Myotis (MB)—in Liping County, collecting rectal samples for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Data processing involved Trimmomatic, Flash, and Qiime2 for operational taxonomic unit (OTU) standardization and species annotation via the Greengenes database. Differential abundance was analyzed using LEfSe, and diversity metrics were assessed through alpha and beta diversity analyses. The RB group was predominantly composed of Proteobacteria (80.99%), while MB and PB exhibited diverse compositions with significant OTU richness (729 in MB). Notable genera included Hafnia and Yersinia in RB and Cosenzaea myxofaciens in MB. High proportions of unclassified taxa were observed, particularly in RB (83.81%). Functional predictions indicated metabolic pathways, with a significant representation of human diseases in PB. Culturomics revealed the successful cultivation of Huaxiibacter chinensis and Enterobacter chengduensis from bats for the first time and appears to have identified a new bacterium that is likely closely related to Clostridium paraputrificum . IMPORTANCE Our research reveals significant differences in the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota among three bat groups (PB, MB, and RB)...