It Takes Guts: Novel Enzymes From the Capybara Microbiome Could Help Transform Plant Material Into Biofuels
By Vilhelmiina Haavisto and Allison Hung
In recent years, the capybara has been launched into internet stardom as the world’s largest and chillest rodent. This giant rodent looms over its guinea pig relatives by nearly a meter, and has endeared millions of viewers by forming friendships with all animals alike. Yet, what’s most interesting about the capybara may be what is going on under the hood. The gut microbiota of herbivores such as the capybara harbor sophisticated systems to degrade complex plant fibers that are a hallmark of the herbivore diet, producing energy for both the host and themselves. (more…)