Metagenomics reveals contrasting energy utilization efficiencies of captive and wild camels(Camelus ferus)

Captive conditions can affect the symbiotic microbiome of animals.In this study,we compared the structural and functional differences of the gastrointestinal microbiomes of wild Bactrian camels(Camelus ferus)between wild and captive populations,as well as their different host energy utilization performances through metagenomics.The results showed that wild-living camels harbored more microbial taxa related to the production of volatile fatty acids,fewer methanogens,and fewer genes encoding enzymes involved in methanogenesis,leading to higher energy utilization efficiency compared to that of captive-living camels.These findings suggest that the wild-living camel fecal microbiome demonstrates a series of adaptive characteristics that enable the host to adjust to a relatively barren field environment.Our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms of wildlife adaptations to habitats from the perspective of the microbiome.

Gut microbial community structure and function of Przewalski’s horses varied across reintroduced sites in China

Host-associated microbiota can significantly impact host fitness.Therefore,naturally occurring variations in microbiota may influence the health and persistence of their hosts.This finding is particularly important in reintroduced animals,as they typically experience habitat changes during translocations.However,little is known about how microbiomes are altered in response to conservation translocation.Here,we accessed the gut microbiome of Przewalski’s horse(Equus przewalskii)populations in China from three nature reserves(i.e.Xinjiang Kalamaili Nature Reserve,KNR;Dunhuang Xihu National Nature Reserve,DXNNR;and Anxi Extreme-arid Desert Nature Reserve,AENR)using 16s rRNA gene and metagenome sequencing.The results showed that the microbial composition and function differed significantly across locations,while a subset of core taxa was consistently present in most of the samples.The abundance of genes encoding microbe-produced enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates,especially for glycoside hydrolases,was significantly higher in open-spaced KNR populations than in more confined AENR individuals.This study offers detailed and significant differential characters related to the microbial community and metabolic pathways in various reintroduced sites of Przewalski’s horse,which might provide a basis for future microecological and conservation research on endangered reintroduced animals.