HMicroDB: A Comprehensive Database of Herpetofaunal Microbiota With a Focus on Host Phylogeny, Physiological Traits, and Environment Factors.

Abstract

Symbiotic microbiota strongly impact host physiology. Amphibians and reptiles occupy a pivotal role in the evolutionary history of Animalia, and they are of significant ecological, economic, and scientific value. Many prior studies have found that symbiotic microbiota in herpetofaunal species are closely associated with host phylogeny, physiological traits, and environmental factors; however, insufficient integrated databases hinder researchers from querying, accessing, and reanalyzing these resources. To rectify this, we built the first herpetofaunal microbiota database (HMicroDB; https://herpdb.com/) that integrates 11,697 microbiological samples from 337 host species (covering 23 body sites and associated with 23 host phenotypic or environmental factors), and we identified 11,084 microbial taxa by consistent annotation. The standardised analysis process, cross-dataset integration, user-friendly interface, and interactive visualisation make the HMicroDB a powerful resource for researchers to search, browse, and explore the relationships between symbiotic microbiota, hosts, and environment. This facilitates research in host-microbiota coevolution, biological conservation, and resource utilisation.