The Hidden Helpers in Red Grouse Digestion

Paper: Metagenomics reveals fibre fermentation and AMR pathways in red grouse (Lagopus scotica) microbiota

Red grouse are famed for their ability to thrive on heather, a plant that makes up most of their diet. Heather is tough, woody, and full of fibre - not the easiest food to digest.

A new study has revealed how grouse manage it. Scientists analysed the gut contents of 15 grouse from three Scottish moorland estates. They discovered 12 previously unknown types of gut bacteria, many of which specialise in breaking down hard-to-digest plant fibres such as cellulose and pectin.

In fact, 11 out of the 12 bacteria identified had never been recorded before, showing just how unique the grouse’s digestive system is. These microbes act like tiny helpers, turning heather into usable energy and allowing the birds to survive on a food source that few other animals can rely on.

The study also found that the grouse gut contains a wide variety of microbes from across five different groups, underlining how complex and specialised their digestion has become.

This research highlights the delicate relationship between grouse and their natural food source. Without heather, the grouse - and the rural communities that depend on them - could not survive in our uplands.

Takeaway: Red grouse depend on heather and the unseen gut microbes that help them digest it - a reminder of why careful moorland management and stewardship are vital for sustaining both wildlife and rural life.

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