Associations between gut microbiota and diet composition of three arid-adapted rodent species from the Inner Mongolia grassland

Food habits are closely associated with the gut microbiota of herbivorous animals; however, limited knowledge exists regarding the arid-adapted rodents. This study investigates the relationship between gut microbiota and dietary composition to offer a scientific basis for comprehending the ecological adaptation strategies of grassland rodents. Cecal contents of <i>Spermophilus alashanicus</i>, <i>S. dauricus</i>, and <i>Meriones unguiculatus</i> were collected and analyzed by using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and DNA metabarcoding techniques to determine the structure of gut microbial communities and dietary composition. The results showed that <i>S. alashanicus</i> presented significantly higher gut microbial richness and diversity than <i>S. dauricus</i> and <i>M. unguiculatus</i>. The dominant gut bacterial genera in <i>S. alashanicus</i> and <i>S. dauricus</i> were similar, suggesting that their common genetic backgrounds might influence the colonization and symbiosis of gut microbiota. The three species consumed both plant-based and animal-based foods but differed in their dietary preferences. <i>S. dauricus</i> displayed a significantly higher diversity of animal-based food consumption compared with the other two species. Correlation analysis between diet and gut microbiota indicated that plant-based foods significantly enhanced the diversity and composition of gut microbiota. In contrast, the consumption of animal-based foods significantly decreased microbial diversity. This finding suggests a potential link between the host's genetic background, dietary composition, and the gut microbiota.