"Optimizing Omnivory: Quantifying Digestive Efficiency in Response to D" by Angela Roth
 

Optimizing Omnivory: Quantifying Digestive Efficiency in Response to Different Diets in the Day Gecko, Phelsuma grandis.

Angela Roth

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

4-2025

Abstract

Many organisms exhibit physiological and morphological adaptations, along with symbiotic relationships with specialized gut microbes, to enhance their digestive efficiency. Omnivores, especially those that consume arthropods and plant material, face the challenge of digesting both chitin and cellulose—compounds that typically require symbiotic gut bacteria to break down. This investigation explores how dietary changes acutely and chronically affect digestive efficiency in the gastrointestinal tracts of a reptilian omnivore. A sample of day geckos (Phelsuma grandis) was provided with three distinct dietary regimens: arthropod-only, fruit-only, and a combination of both. Here, we present short-term and long-term differences in digestive efficiency and microbiome diversity across these treatments. This study not only enhances our understanding of reptilian digestive physiology but also highlights the complex interactions among diet, gut microbiota, and overall digestive efficiency in these organisms.

Comments

2:15-3:15 p.m.

BLH 266

Studies in Organismal Biology

William Blake Erickson, Moderator

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