Each
animal species hosts its own, unique community of microbes that can
significantly improve its health and fitness. This is the implication of a
laboratory study that investigated four different animal groups and their
associated microbiota. The research found that each species within the group
has a distinctive microbial community.
Experiments
with two of the groups -- one mammal and one insect -- demonstrated that
individuals possessing their natural microbiota digested food more efficiently
and had greater survival than those that were implanted with the microbial
communities of closely related species.
For
details see:
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle
