Metagenomic assessment of the Cebus Apella gut microbiota

Authors: Firrman, Jenni; TANES, CEYLAN - The Children'S Hospital Of Philadelphia; BITTINGER, KYLE - The Children'S Hospital Of Philadelphia; Mahalak, Karley; RINALDI, WILLIAM - Alpha Genesis Incorporated; Liu, Linshu

Submitted to: American Journal of Primatology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/30/2019
Publication Date: 6/26/2019
Citation: Firrman, J., Tanes, C., Bittinger, K., Mahalak, K.K., Rinaldi, W., Liu, L.S. 2019. Metagenomic assessment of the Cebus Apella gut microbiota. American Journal of Primatology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23023.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23023

Interpretive Summary: The Cebus Apella, or Tufted Capuchin (TC), is a species of non-human primate often used for biomedical research because it is evolutionarily similar to humans and shares many physical characteristics, yet little is known regarding its gut microbiota. In this study, the gut microbiota communities in the small intestine and the colon regions were determined in three TC using gene sequencing. The results showed a high degree of similarity among the gut microbiota of the three TC. The gut microbiota communities found within the intestines had more types of bacteria present compared to the communities that grew attached to the inner intestinal walls. The communities were dominated by the bacteria Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Abiotrophia, and Lactobacillus. The small intestine communities had lower levels of bacteria byproducts (Short Chain Fatty Acids) than the colon communities. Taken together, this data provides an in depth understanding on the gut microbiota of the TC and their possible use for comparison with human studies.

Technical Abstract: The Cebus Apella (C. Apella) is a species of Non-Human Primate (NHP) used for biomedical research because it is phylogenetically similar and shares anatomical commonalities with humans. Here, the gut microbiota of three C. Apella are examined longitudinally through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Using metagenomics, the gut microbiota associated with the luminal content and mucosal layer for each intestinal region was identified, and functionality investigated by quantifying the levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced. The results of this study found that there was a high degree of similarity in the GIT communities between C. Apella subjects, with multiple shared characteristics. First, the communities in the lumen were more phylogenetically diverse and rich compared to the mucosal communities throughout the entire GIT. The small intestine communities in the lumen displayed a higher Shannon diversity index compared to the colon communities. Second, all the communities were dominated by aero-tolerant taxa such as Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Abiotrophia, and Lactobacillus, although there was preferential colonization of specific taxa observed. Finally, the primary SCFA produced throughout the GIT was acetic acid, although some propionic acid and butyric acid were detected in the colon regions. The small intestine microbiota produced significantly less SCFAs compared to the community in the colon. Collectively, this data provides an in depth understanding regarding the composition, distribution, and SCFA production of the gut microbiota along the GIT of the C. Apella NHP.