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.