Experimental evaluation of the importance of colonization history in early-life gut microbiota assembly

摘要: The factors that govern assembly of the gut microbiota are insufficiently understood. Here, we test hypothesis inter-individual variation can arise solely from differences in order and timing by which is colonized early life. Experiments mice were inoculated sequence either with two complex seed communities or a cocktail four bacterial strains community revealed colonization influenced both outcome ecological success individual colonizers. Historical contingency priority effects also occurred Rag1-/- mice, suggesting adaptive immune system not major contributor to these processes. In conclusion, this study established measurable effect history on model host environmental strictly controlled, illuminating potential cause for high levels unexplained individuality host-associated microbial communities.