About this Research Topic

Background

High-altitude environments present unique challenges for animal life due to extreme conditions such as low oxygen levels, high UV radiation, and significant temperature fluctuations. These factors create intense selection pressures, making high-altitude regions ideal for studying evolutionary adaptation. Recent research has made strides in understanding the mechanisms behind high-altitude adaptation, yet many questions remain unanswered. One emerging area of interest is the role of gut microbiota in these adaptations. Animals and their gut microbiota have co-evolved, forming mutualistic relationships that are crucial for various life activities, including digestion, metabolism, and immunity. The gut microbiota also plays a significant role in environmental adaptation and ecological differentiation. Despite the growing recognition of its importance, the specific contributions of gut microbiota to high-altitude adaptation are not fully understood, highlighting a critical gap in current research.

This research topic aims to explore the diversity, function, and evolution of the gut microbiota in high-altitude regions, with a particular focus on its role in the adaptation of host animals to these challenging environments. By investigating these relationships, we hope to gain valuable insights into the health and survival strategies of populations living at high altitudes. The research will address key questions such as how gut microbiota composition varies with altitude, the functional implications of these variations, and the potential for gut microbiota to facilitate physiological adaptations to high-altitude conditions.

To gather further insights into the role of gut microbiota in high-altitude adaptation, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Characterization of the Gut Microbiota Associated with High Altitudes: Uncovering common characteristics, seasonal or diurnal fluctuations, and reviewing current knowledge on gut microbiome composition and function.
- Altitude-dependent Variations in the Gut Microbiota and the Implications in High-altitude Adaptation: Exploring patterns of variation along altitudinal gradients and differences between high-altitude and low-altitude populations.
- Interaction Between Diet, Gut Microbiome, and High-Altitude Adaptation: Investigating the correlation between host diet, gut microbiota, and adaptation processes.
- Mechanistic Studies on the Role of Gut Microbiota in the Host’s Physiological Adaptation: Examining causal relationships and specific mechanisms aiding adaptation to low-oxygen, low-pressure environments.
- Application of the High-Altitude Gut Microbiota: Assessing the potential for using gut microbiota to enhance adaptation in non-high-altitude species and exploring strategies for microbiome manipulation to aid in high-altitude adaptation.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: High altitude environments, Gut Microbiota, Convergent adaptation, Functional Evolution, Biological adaptation, Microbial ecology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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