@article{884158ecf77e495ca22b326d7ad506a0,
title = "The faecal metabolome of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) varies in response to seasonal dietary changes",
abstract = "Mammals rely on the metabolic functions of their gut microbiota to meet their energetic needs and digest potentially toxic components in their diet. The gut microbiome plastically responds to shifts in host diet and may buffer variation in energy and nutrient availability. However, it is unclear how seasonal differences in the gut microbiome influence microbial metabolism and nutrients available to hosts. In this study, we examine seasonal variation in the gut metabolome of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) to determine whether those variations are associated with differences in gut microbiome composition and nutrient intake, and if plasticity in the gut microbiome buffers shortfalls in energy or nutrient intake. We integrated data on the metabolome of 81 faecal samples from 16 individuals collected across three distinct seasons with gut microbiome, nutrient intake and plant metabolite consumption data from the same period. Faecal metabolite profiles differed significantly between seasons and were strongly associated with changes in plant metabolite consumption. However, microbial community composition and faecal metabolite composition were not strongly associated. Additionally, the connectivity and stability of faecal metabolome networks varied seasonally, with network connectivity being highest during the dry, fruit-dominated season when black howler monkey diets were calorically and nutritionally constrained. Network stability was highest during the dry, leaf-dominated season when most nutrients were being consumed at intermediate rates. Our results suggest that the gut microbiome buffers seasonal variation in dietary intake, and that the buffering effect is most limited when host diet becomes calorically or nutritionally restricted.",
keywords = "black howler monkey, diet–microbiome interactions, faecal metabolites, plant metabolites",
author = "Mallott, {Elizabeth K.} and Skovmand, {Lotte H.} and Garber, {Paul A.} and Amato, {Katherine R.}",
note = "Funding Information: This study was funded by a National Geographic Waitt grant (W139-10) and a University of Illinois Dissertation Travel Grant to K.R.A., and a University of Illinois Research Board Grant to P.A.G. K.R.A. was supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and is currently a CIFAR fellow. E.K.M. is currently supported by the Vanderbilt Microbiome Innovation Center. Thanks to Brianna Wilkinson, Sarie Van Belle and Alejandro Estrada for field support. We also thank CONANP, SEMARNAT and SAGARPA in Mexico and the CDC in the USA for permits and logistical support. We would like to thank Alex Ulanov for this help with metabolite analyses through the Metabolomics Center at the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. P.A.G. wishes to thank Chrissie, Sara, Jenni and Dax for their support and encouragement. This research was supported in part through the computational resources and staff contributions provided by the Genomics Compute Cluster, part of the Quest high-performance computing facility at Northwestern University, which is jointly supported by the Feinberg School of Medicine, the Center for Genetic Medicine, Feinberg's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, the Office of the Provost, the Office for Research and Northwestern Information Technology. Funding Information: This study was funded by a National Geographic Waitt grant (W139‐10) and a University of Illinois Dissertation Travel Grant to K.R.A., and a University of Illinois Research Board Grant to P.A.G. K.R.A. was supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and is currently a CIFAR fellow. E.K.M. is currently supported by the Vanderbilt Microbiome Innovation Center. Thanks to Brianna Wilkinson, Sarie Van Belle and Alejandro Estrada for field support. We also thank CONANP, SEMARNAT and SAGARPA in Mexico and the CDC in the USA for permits and logistical support. We would like to thank Alex Ulanov for this help with metabolite analyses through the Metabolomics Center at the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign. P.A.G. wishes to thank Chrissie, Sara, Jenni and Dax for their support and encouragement. This research was supported in part through the computational resources and staff contributions provided by the Genomics Compute Cluster, part of the Quest high‐performance computing facility at Northwestern University, which is jointly supported by the Feinberg School of Medicine, the Center for Genetic Medicine, Feinberg's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, the Office of the Provost, the Office for Research and Northwestern Information Technology. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 The Authors. Molecular Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.",
year = "2022",
month = aug,
doi = "10.1111/mec.16559",
language = "English",
volume = "31",
pages = "4146--4161",
journal = "Molecular Ecology",
issn = "0962-1083",
number = "15",
}