Fig. 2

Correlation, dissimilarity, and change in α-diversity between stored or transported and fresh fecal samples. Sequencing data (dataset A) used to plot this figure was generated by using the Illumina HiSeq 4000 platform. “/T” represents transportation groups. a The α-diversity of the freshly extracted samples and corresponding stored samples. b–d The Euclidean distance, Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, and Spearman correlation coefficient between the stored samples and corresponding freshly extracted ones. One asterisk indicates significant difference (p < 0.05, paired t test), and two asterisks indicate highly significant difference (p < 0.01, paired t test). Number sign in d indicates significant difference in α-diversity in comparison to the corresponding fresh aliquots (p < 0.05, paired t test) (n = 10)