Effects of ex situ conservation on diversity and function of the gut microbiota of the Tibetan wild ass(Equus kiang)

Ex situ conservation is the main method for the protection of endangered wildlife.To explore the effect of ex situ conservation on the gut microbiota of the kiang(Equus kiang),metagenomic sequencing combined with bioinformatics analysis was used to investigate the composition and function of the gut microbiota of the kiang.The results showed that ex situ conservation not only protected wildlife,but also affected the composition and function of gut microbiota,as well as the health of animals.In the zoo,the ratio of the relative abundance of Firmicutes to that of Bacteroidetes(F/B)is higher,clusters of potentially pathogenic bacteria(such as Catonella,Catonella,and Mycoplasma)are more numerous,the abundance of resistance genes is higher,and the abundance of metabolic functions is increased.The dynamic changes of the gut microbiota also played an important role in the nutritional absorption,energy metabolism,and environmental adaptation of the kiang.Improving the rearing environment and increasing food diversity play important roles for increasing the diversity of gut microbiota,reducing the spread of potentially pathogenic bacteria,and reducing diseases.In the wild,especially in winter and in food-deficient areas,food supplementation can enhance the gut microbial homeostasis of wild animals and reduce the impact of crises.In depth studies of the gut microbial function of wildlife have important implications for improving ex situ conservation.

Adaptation of migratory Tibetan antelope to infrastructure development

Background:The Tibetan antelope(Pantholops hodgsonii)is a migratory ungulate species that inhabits the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.In recent years,the population of Tibetan antelope has steadily increased owing to rigorous protection measures to safeguard the species from commercial poaching.Currently,infrastructure development,competition with domestic livestock,and predation are the principal factors threatening the survival of Tibetan antelope.Result:Our study found that migratory Tibetan antelope can adapt to the development of infrastructure over time,decreasing the potential negative impacts of such developments.Conclusion:We,therefore,urge infrastructure development companies to incorporate wildlife corridors that enable free movement of wildlife populations,particularly for migratory species.

The roles of calving migration and climate change in the formation of the weak genetic structure in the Tibetan antelope(Pantholops hodgsonii)

Geographical barriers and distance can reduce gene exchange among animals,resulting in genetic divergence of geographically isolated populations.The Tibetan antelope(Pantholops hodgsonii)has a geographical range of approximately 1600 km across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,which comprises a series of tall mountains and big rivers.However,previous studies indicate that there is little genetic differentiation among their geographical­ly delineated populations.To better understand the genetic structure of P.hodgsonii populations,we collected 145 samples from the 3 major calving regions,taking into consideration their various calving grounds and mi­gration routes.We used a combination of mitochondrial sequences(Cyt b,ATPase,D-loop and COX I)to inves­tigate the genetic structure and the evolutionary divergence of the populations.Significant,albeit weak,genetic differentiation was detected among the 3 geographical populations.Analysis of the genetic divergence process revealed that the animals gradually entered a period of rapid genetic differentiation approximately 60000 years ago.The calving migration of P.hodgsonii cannot be the main cause of their weak genetic structure because this cannot fully homogenize the genetic pool.Instead,the geological and climatic events as well as the coupling vegetation succession process during this period have been suggested to greatly contribute to the genetic struc­ture and the expansion of genetic diversity.