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.