Physiological and genomic characterization of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum isolated from Indri indri in Madagascar.

This article focuses on the physiological and genomic characterization of three Lactiplantibacillus plantarum isolates obtained from the critically endangered lemur Indri indri in Madagascar. The isolates, recovered from fecal samples of two individuals, were closely related and genetically similar to strains from diverse fermented plant sources, suggesting acquisition via diet rather than stable gut colonization. Genomic analyses revealed that these isolates possess core genes associated with antimicrobial resistance and metabolism of phenolic compounds, such as hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, which was confirmed phenotypically; this supports the role of Lp. plantarum in detoxifying plant secondary metabolites and aiding digestion in folivorous primates. The study highlights the potential importance of gut-associated microbes in primate nutrition and conservation, emphasizing that understanding wild primate microbiomes can inform ex situ conservation strategies.