基于食性和肠道微生物研究横断山区鼩鼱姐妹种同域共存机制

物种的稳定共存是维持横断山区极高生物多样性的基础。目前，有关物种同域共存机制的研究主要集中于形态、行为、食性和生境利用等方面，而结合食物动态从肠道微生物层面探讨物种同域共存机制的研究却鲜有涉及。近缘种是研究物种同域共存机制的理想模型。本项目拟以横断山区同域分布的大纹背鼩鼱（Sorex cylindricauda）和小纹背鼩鼱（Sorex bedfordiae）姐妹种为研究对象，通过DNA宏条形码测序技术探究二者食物结构及其季节性动态变化，阐明该姐妹种间食物生态位分离和重叠程度；结合16S rRNA扩增子测序和宏基因组测序技术探究二者肠道菌群组成和结构的种间差异，比较分析姐妹种间肠道微生物组功能基因和代谢通路。以期从食物生态位、肠道菌群结构和功能等维度揭示横断山区鼩鼱姐妹种实现同域共存的适应性机制。本研究结果将为横断山区丰富的生物多样性维持和近缘种同域共存机制提供新的理论支撑。

The mechanisms of species coexistence are the basis of maintenance of high biodiversity in Hengduan Mountain area. The research on coexistence mechanisms of the sympatric species mainly focused on morphological, behavioral patterns, feeding habits and utilization of habitats. But combined with the dietary analysis results, the role of gut microbes in the mechanisms of species coexistence is still poorly understood. The related species is the ideal model for exploring mechanisms of species coexistence. In this study, we plan to describe compositions and seasonal variations of diet in sibling Sorex species (Sorex cylindricauda and Sorex bedfordiae) by the approach of DNA metabarcoding sequencing, illustrating food niche pattern between sibling Sorex species. And we apply 16S amplicon sequencing to explore the their gut microbial community, and compare functional characteristics and metabolic pathway of gut microbiome based on metagenomic analysis. This study will reveal the adaptive mechanisms of species coexistence from the analyses of food niche, gut microbial community and functional potentials of gut microbiome in this sibling Sorex species. Results of this study will provide theoretical support to maintain the high biodiversity and to researches on the mechanisms of related species coexistence in Hengduan Mountain area.