A study has shed new light on how bamboo, a highly fibrous plant, provides energy for giant pandas, which have a digestive tract similar to carnivores.
一项研究揭示了竹子这种高度纤维状植物,是如何为大熊猫这种消化道与食肉动物相似的动物提供能量的。
Researchers performed a large-scale metagenome sequencing study of the gut microbiota of giant pandas, which feed almost exclusively on bamboo.
研究人员对大熊猫肠道微生物群进行了大规模的宏基因组研究,这些大熊猫几乎完全以竹子为食。
They found that their gut microbiota does not significantly contribute to the degradation of cellulose and lignin, which are abundant in bamboo.
他们发现,它们的肠道微生物群对富含在竹子内的纤维素和木质素的降解没有显著的作用。
The finding suggests that the animals do not depend on cellulose or lignin to obtain energy.
这一发现表明,这种动物并不依赖纤维素或木质素来获得能量。
Instead, they rely on starch and hemicelluloses in the plant for energy, researchers said.
研究人员称,相反,他们依靠植物中的淀粉和半纤维素来获取能量。
Giant pandas have a higher capability of digesting starch than strict carnivores. They develop increasing abilities to digest starch following the dietary transition from breast milk to bamboo, according to the study.
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