Influence of Dietary Feathers on the Fecal Microbiota in Captive Arctic Fox: Do Dietary Hair or Feathers Play a Role in the Evolution of Carnivorous Mammals?

The study investigated the impact of dietary feathers on the fecal microbiota of captive Arctic foxes. Researchers added disinfected poultry feathers to the foxes' diet and observed changes in gut bacteria using fluorescently labeled terminal restriction fragments. The results indicated a significant increase in bacterial species diversity, although the total abundance remained unchanged. This suggested that feather ingestion stimulated growth among less abundant bacteria and allowed new microbial species to colonize the gut. Consequently, the range of bacterial metabolites increased, potentially enhancing the host's immune response and affecting physiological performance. These changes could influence natural selection and speciation in wild carnivorous mammals.