Fig. 3
Serial dilutions of skin mock community samples display increased α-diversity. The original mock community (108 CFU) was diluted to 107, 105, and 103 CFU/sample. Relative OTU abundance obtained from amplified 16S rRNA genes upon serial dilutions followed by DNA extraction using a BDA or b NDA. The α-diversity increased upon dilution when expressed as either richness for c BDA and d NDA or Shannon diversity index for e BDA and f NDA. p values were calculated using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. * p ≤ 0.05, ** p ≤ 0.01, *** p ≤ 0.001. PCoA plots show shifting of β-diversity of diluted samples prepared by g BDA or h NDA