Extended Data Figure 3: Similarity of faecal microbiota composition within and between twin pairs.
From: Development of the gut microbiota and mucosal IgA responses in twins and gnotobiotic mice
Similarity in composition of the faecal microbiota within and between twin pairs was analysed with unweighted UniFrac distance calculated before OTU consolidation. Statistical significance was evaluated with the paired Wilcoxon test for twin–twin versus twin–unrelated comparisons. Mean values + s.e.m. are plotted (n = 205 paired comparisons). ***P < 0.001. The results indicate that the overall phylogenetic composition of the faecal microbiota is more similar in infants/children sharing a common living environment and genetic background than between unrelated individuals; this is apparent as early as the first month of life and does not change significantly over the ensuing 23 months.
