Why some animals evolved to live without gut microbes
In short: While humans depend on microscopic digestive communities to survive, some animals have ditched their microbial partners entirely. This video explores the evolutionary trade-offs involved in maintaining these internal ecosystems.
Most animals rely on resident gut microbiomes for digestion, but certain species have evolved to function without them. By studying these outliers, researchers can better understand the specific costs and benefits associated with forming evolutionary partnerships with microbes.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 4 Animals That Don’t Have Resident Gut Microbiomes
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