Comparative analysis of microbiota along the length of the gastrointestinal tract of two tree squirrel species ( and ) living in sympatry.

Microbiota inhabiting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of animals has important impacts on many host physiological processes. Although host diet is a major factor influencing the composition of the gut micro-organismal community, few comparative studies have considered how differences in diet influence community composition across the length of the GI tract. We used 16S sequencing to compare the microbiota along the length of the GI tract in Abert's () and fox squirrels () living in the same habitat.

Host biology and environmental variables differentially predict flea abundances for two rodent hosts in a plague-relevant system.

While rodents frequently host ectoparasites that can vector zoonotic diseases, often little is known about their ectoparasite communities, even in places where hosts frequently interact with humans. Yosemite National Park is an area of high human-wildlife interaction and high potential zoonotic disease transfer. Nonetheless, relatively few studies have surveyed the flea communities on mammalian hosts in this area, and even fewer have characterized the environmental and host factors that predict infestation.

Genome-wide markers reveal a complex evolutionary history involving divergence and introgression in the Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) species group.

Background: Genetic introgression between divergent lineages is now considered more common than previously appreciated, with potentially important consequences for adaptation and speciation. Introgression is often asymmetric between populations and patterns can vary for different types of loci (nuclear vs. organellar), complicating phylogeographic reconstruction.