Analysis of beta diversity of gut microbiota
PCoA was conducted to observe the differences in the gut microbial
community structure. The results show that the contribution rates of the
first and second principal components are 50.28% and 20.22%,
respectively. The distance between the groups was relatively close, and
the distance between the groups was further; that is, the samples of the
two treatment groups were well-clustered, and the separation between the
different groups was clear. Compared with the spring group, the gut
microbial community structure among T. roborowskii individuals in
the autumn group had higher similarity (Figure 3A).
The results of NMDS and similarity analysis indicated a significant
difference in the gut microbiota between the spring and autumn groups
(Stress=0.0008; Anosim: R=0.865, P =0.026). The distribution
within the group was more discrete in the spring group and more uniform
in the autumn group, suggesting that food and environmental influences
after hibernation promoted the clustering and stability of the gut
microbes of the Turpan wonder gecko (Figure 3B). In conclusion, the gut
microbes of Turpan wonder geckos changed significantly between spring
and autumn, manifesting as increased microbial abundance and diversity.