Abstract
Here, we investigated the possible linkages among geophagy, soil characteristics, and gut mycobiome of indri (Indri indri), an endangered lemur species able to survive only in wild conditions. The soil eaten by indri resulted in enriched secondary oxide-hydroxides and clays, together with a high concentration of specific essential micronutrients. This could partially explain the role of the soil in detoxification and as a nutrient supply. Besides, we found that soil subject to geophagy and indris’ faeces shared about 8.9% of the fungal OTUs. Also, several genera (e.g. Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium) commonly associated with soil and plant material were found in both geophagic soil and indri samples. On the contrary, some taxa with pathogenic potentials, such as Cryptococcus, were only found in indri samples. Further, many saprotrophs and plant-associated fungal taxa were detected in the indri faeces. These fungal species may be involved in the digestion processes of leaves and could have a beneficial role in their health. In conclusion, we found an intimate connection between gut mycobiome and soil, highlighting, once again, the potential consequent impacts on the wider habitat.
Highlights
Geophagy, the intentional consumption of soil, is practiced by many different human cultures over different continents [1]
The well-documented occurrence of geophagic behaviour in many vertebrates, including non-human Primates, encourages the formulation of two main adaptive hypotheses: (i) the supplementation function consisting of supplementing microelements that are lacking in the diet and (ii) the protective function of soil in pH regulation, against toxins and parasites [2]
We aimed to investigate the linkages between geophagic soil and indris gut mycobiome, using samples collected in the Maromizaha forest (Madagascar) (Fig. 1a)
Summary
The intentional consumption of soil, is practiced by many different human cultures over different continents [1]. The well-documented occurrence of geophagic behaviour in many vertebrates, including non-human Primates, encourages the formulation of two main adaptive hypotheses: (i) the supplementation function consisting of supplementing microelements that are lacking in the diet and (ii) the protective function of soil in pH regulation, against toxins and parasites [2]. In this respect, lemurs’ radiation in more than 100 species, colonizing different habitats and performing soil eating in at least 40 species, make them a very promising model for untangling the causes and functional consequences of geophagy [3]. This evidence suggests that some behavioural and environmental factors are not satisfied with the already tested captivity protocols
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