Links between mouse and vole social networks and their gut microbiomes support predictions from metacommunity theory

摘要: Metacommunity theory predicts that strongly connected individuals will harbour similar gut microbiomes (GMs) and affiliating with more should increase GM diversity. Additionally, cross-species bacterial transmission may play a role in how interspecific interactions affect host community dynamics. We tracked sympatric mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) voles (Myodes gapperi) constructed social networks for each species both together. tested whether: 1) similarity composition between correlates their proximity within across species; 2) diversity host9s number of conspecific or heterospecific neighbours. could not differentiate associations mouse habitat. In voles, explained part the composition. associated proximity, correlated vole Contributions host-host to partly follow metacommunity but depend on species.