Conclusion
In summary, there were seasonal
changes in the gut microbes of T. roborowskii , with higher
diversity and relative abundance in autumn than in spring. Firmicutes
and Bacteroidetes had a stable proportion, Proteobacteria and the
significant growth of Lachnospiriaceae in autumn may be an adaptive
factor to cope with seasonal dietary
shifts. Secondary bile acids, such as deoxycholate-glycine conjugates,
showed higher levels in different seasons, suggesting their important
role in metabolism. Picrust functional predictions showed that
metabolism-related pathways varied in different seasons, and the core
microbiota in different seasons appeared to perform functions associated
with specific metabolic pathways. In the future, captive breeding and
artificial manipulation of the food ratio will be an effective way to
further understand seasonal dietary shifts and the effects of frugivory
strategies on the gut microbiota and metabolic functions of lizards such
as T. roborowskii .