The cecal microbial community's response to hibernation within thirteen- lined ground squirrels
Abstract
The presence of microbial communities within the gastrointestinal tract is extremely
important. Intestinal associated microbial populations are established immediately after
birth and the population is maintained by diet. Hibernation is an adaptation that some
animals use, during which an animal does not consume additional food. Due to this
change in diet, a significant change in the intestinal microbiota is expected. Cecal
material was collected from thirteen-lined ground squirrels at various stages relative to
hibernation: pre-hibernation, inter-bout arousal, two hours post arousal, twenty-four
hours post arousal, and seven days post arousal. Each cecal sample was used for
community analysis via DNA extraction and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and used to
determine abundance via flow cytometry. Community analysis identified a progression
where microbial communities prior to hibernation were dominated by phylum Firmicutes
but during hibernation the community was dominated by Bacteroidetes. Each progressive
stage post arousal from hibernation showed an increase in Firmicutes relative to
Bacteroidetes culminating in a similar community structure at seven days post arousal to
that seen pre-hibernation. Abundance followed a cycle starting with high abundance pre-
hibernation followed by a significant reduction during inter-bout arousal. Abundance
gradually restored at each stage post-arousal culminating in equivalent abundance to pre-
hibernation.
Subject
Hibernation
Microbiology
Thirteen-lined ground squirrel--Hibernation