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Scientists looked at the fecal material from 12 baleen whales of three different species and found some surprises. While baleen whales are carnivores, feeding on fish and crustaceans, the microbes found in their guts - the so-called whale microbiome - share characteristics with both herbivore cows and meat-eating predators. The findings support the notion that both diet and evolutionary history contribute to shape the microbial communities inhabiting the gut of mammals. [Source: Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences]
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