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 .