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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(20); doi: 10.3390/ani12202874

Assessment of Adaptation Status of Reintroduced Equus Przewalskii Based on Comparative Analysis of Fecal Bacteria with Those of Captive E. Przewalskii, Domestic Horse and Mongolian Wild Ass.

Abstract: Intestinal microbiota play an important role in the survival of the host. However, no study to date has elucidated the adjustment of intestinal microbiota of the host during rewilding. Thus, this study aims to describe the intestinal bacterial community of reintroduced Przewalski’s horse (RPH) after being released into their original habitat for approximately 20 years in comparison with that of captive Przewalski’s horse (CPH), sympatric domestic horse (DH) and Mongolian wild ass (MWA) by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the prevalent bacterial communities were different among CPHs, RPHs, DHs and MWAs at the family level. NMDS and ANOSIM analysis showed that the pattern of bacterial community composition in captive equines was distinct from that in the wild groups. It is shown that some bacteria had significant differences among different taxa (p < 0.001), such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Armatimonadetes, Clostrida, Bacteroidia, Clostridiales, Bacteroidales, Rikenellaceae and Bacteroidales_UCG-001. These bacteria were associated with the transition from in captive to in the wild (CPH and RPH), which reflected the change of environmental conditions. Meanwhile, Proteobacteria, Clostridia, Bacilli, Negativicutes, Gammaproteobacteria, Clostridiales, Bacillales, Selenomonadales, Pseudomonadales and Planococcaceae were the changed groups among RPHs, MWAs and DHs, which are related to feeding habits and diseases. Our results clearly showed the differences between intestinal microbiota in reintroduced animals and wild animals and led us to understand the survival state of reintroduced animals in the wild.
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Publication Date: 2022-10-21 PubMed ID: 36290262PubMed Central: PMC9598124DOI: 10.3390/ani12202874Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research aimed to understand how the gut bacteria of reintroduced Przewalski’s horses changes when they return to the wild, by comparing them with captive Przewalski’s horses, domestic horses, and Mongolian wild asses. The outcomes showed significant differences in their gut bacterial communities, thereby providing insight into the survival and adjustment of reintroduced animals in their natural habitats.

Objective and Approach

  • The study was driven by the need to explore how the intestinal microbiota (the community of microorganisms) of a host animal adapts during the process of reintroducing those animals from captivity to their respective wild environments.
  • Researchers conducted this study by comparing the intestinal bacterial communities of reintroduced Przewalski’s horses (RPHs), captive Przewalski’s horses (CPHs), domestic horses (DHs), and Mongolian wild asses (MWAs).
  • The comparative analysis was primarily based on sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, a crucial method used in examining bacterial profiles).

Findings

  • The findings demonstrated significant differences in prevalent bacterial communities among animals from the four different groups.
  • Specific indices (NMDS and ANOSIM) indicated that the pattern of bacterial community composition in captive animals differed substantially from those in the wild.
  • Certain groups of bacteria displayed considerable disparities among the different taxa like Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Armatimonadetes, and others. These bacteria are associated with environmental change as animals transition from captivity to the wild.
  • Other groups like Proteobacteria, Clostridia, Bacilli, etc., differed among RPHs, MWAs, and DHs, indicating differing feeding habits and susceptibility to diseases.

Implications

  • This research provides comprehensive evidence on how the intestinal microbiota of reintroduced Przewalski’s horses adapts to life back in the wild.
  • The shift in microbial communities can indicate changes in diet, lifestyle, and susceptibility to diseases in these reintroduced animals.
  • The results can aid in understanding the survival and adaptation mechanisms of reintroduced animals, thereby helping conservationists in making well-informed decisions for future reintroductions.

Cite This Article

APA
Hu D, Wang C, Ente M, Zhang K, Zhang D, Li X, Li K, Chu H. (2022). Assessment of Adaptation Status of Reintroduced Equus Przewalskii Based on Comparative Analysis of Fecal Bacteria with Those of Captive E. Przewalskii, Domestic Horse and Mongolian Wild Ass. Animals (Basel), 12(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202874

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 20

Researcher Affiliations

Hu, Dini
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road No.35, Beijing 100083, China.
Wang, Chen
  • Xinjiang Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve Management Center, Changji 831100, China.
Ente, Make
  • Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Urumqi 831700, China.
Zhang, Ke
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road No.35, Beijing 100083, China.
Zhang, Dong
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road No.35, Beijing 100083, China.
Li, Xuefeng
  • Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Urumqi 831700, China.
Li, Kai
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road No.35, Beijing 100083, China.
Chu, Hongjun
  • Institute of Forest Ecology, Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, Urumqi 830063, China.

Grant Funding

  • 2020TQ0047 / China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
  • 31670538 / National Natural Science Foundation of China
  • 02210823 / the Forestry Fund of LiBin

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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  3. Zhang Y, Liu J, Zhang K, Wang A, Sailikebieke D, Zhang Z, Ao T, Yan L, Zhang D, Li K, Huang H. Biological response to Przewalski's horse reintroduction in native desert grasslands: a case study on the spatial analysis of ticks. BMC Ecol Evol 2024 May 11;24(1):61.
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