Giraffe Gut Bacteria Linked to Species, Not Diet, Study Finds

A new study from Uppsala University and Brown University reveals that the gut bacteria of giraffes are primarily determined by their species, rather than their diet. Researchers analyzed the link between diet and gut flora in three giraffe species in Kenya: the reticulated giraffe, the Masai giraffe, and the northern giraffe. They sequenced plant and bacterial DNA from faecal [fecal] samples to investigate the bacterial composition of the gut and the plants consumed by the giraffes. The study, published in Global Ecology and Conservation, found that the microbiome [micro-by-ome] was species-specific, even when giraffes within the same species ate different plants. Geography also influenced the giraffes' diets, with the same species consuming different foods depending on their location. This research provides insights into giraffe diets, which is important for the conservation of these endangered species. The international collaboration aims to support giraffe conservation efforts by providing a better understanding of their nutritional needs.