5 | CONCLUSION
One of the most important features of this study was the large-scale metagenomic analysis of 143 fecal individual samples from three species of SNMs, which generated the first reference gene catalogue covering most of the genes in the gut microbiome of SNMs, enabling us to fully understand the detailed genetic diversity of the gut microbiome of SNMs. The identification of bacteria and carbohydrate enzymes in the gut microbiome of SNMs suggested their adaptation to a plant-based diet. We compared metagenomic diversity and functional potential in SNMs with those in ruminants and monogastric animals, and revealed that the interaction between GIT morphology and the gut microbiome jointly promotes dietary adaptation in foregut fermenting animals. We also identified 9 highly abundant bacterial genera as core genera in these mammals. In conclusion, this study provides a reference and data framework to further reveal the evolutionary adaptation of SNMs and to analyze the evolutionary route of the gut microbiome in animals with foregut fermentation.