Gut Bacteriomes and Ecological Niche Divergence: An Example of Two Cryptic Gastropod Species.

Symbiotic microorganisms may provide their hosts with abilities critical to their occupation of microhabitats. Gut (intestinal) bacterial communities aid animals to digest substrates that are either innutritious or toxic, as well as support their development and physiology. The role of microbial communities associated with sibling species in the hosts' adaptation remains largely unexplored.