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Microorganisms2022; 10(6); 1166; doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10061166

Comparative Analysis of Microbiome Metagenomics in Reintroduced Wild Horses and Resident Asiatic Wild Asses in the Gobi Desert Steppe.

Abstract: The gut microbiome offers important ecological benefits to the host; however, our understanding of the functional microbiome in relation to wildlife adaptation, especially for translocated endangered species, is lagging. In this study, we adopted a comparative metagenomics approach to test whether the microbiome diverges for translocated and resident species with different adaptive potentials. The composition and function of the microbiome of sympatric Przewalski's horses and Asiatic wild asses in desert steppe were compared for the first time using the metagenomic shotgun sequencing approach. We identified a significant difference in microbiome composition regarding the microbes present and their relative abundances, while the diversity of microbe species was similar. Furthermore, the functional profile seemed to converge between the two hosts, with genes related to core metabolism function tending to be more abundant in wild asses. Our results indicate that sympatric wild equids differ in their microbial composition while harboring a stable microbial functional core, which may enable them to survive in challenging habitats. A higher abundance of beneficial taxa, such as , and genes related to metabolism pathways and enzymes, such as lignin degradation, may contribute to more diverse diet choices and larger home ranges of wild asses.
Publication Date: 2022-06-07 PubMed ID: 35744684PubMed Central: PMC9229091DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061166Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 explored the differences in gut microorganisms in two species of wild equids living in the same habitat: the reintroduced Przewalski’s horses and the resident Asiatic wild asses. Through genomic analysis, the study identified a variation in microbiome composition among the animals but detected similarities in microbial species diversity and functionality which could be crucial for survival in rough environments.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to understand the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome in animals and its relationship to the adaptive potentials of translocated endangered species and resident species.
  • The research focused on Przewalski’s horses and Asiatic wild asses, both living in the harsh environment of the Gobi Desert Steppe.
  • To achieve this, the scientists employed a comparative metagenomics approach, a method which uses genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples. The researchers performed a metagenomic shotgun sequencing, a comprehensive method aimed at characterizing all genes from all the microbes present in a sample.

Findings

  • The team identified significant differences in microbiome composition between the two species, regarding the presence and relative abundance of different microbes.
  • Despite these differences, the two species had similar amounts of microbe species diversity.
  • The study found a commonality in their functional profiles. Genes related to core metabolic functions were more plentiful in Asiatic wild asses.
  • The researchers hypothesized that these shared functionalities might aid both species in thriving in demanding habitats.

Implications

  • The results showed that although these sympatric (living in the same geographical region and often interacting with each other) species have different microbial compositions, they maintain a stable functional core of microorganisms.
  • The presence of certain gut microbes, along with genes related to specific metabolic pathways and enzymes, may contribute to their adaptability to their environment. For instance, the higher abundance of microbes that can degrade plant fibers might be related to the more diverse diet choices and larger home ranges of wild asses.
  • These findings may help understand how animals adapt and survive in challenging habitats, potentially providing insights into conservation efforts for endangered, reintroduced species.

Cite This Article

APA
Tang L, Gao Y, Yan L, Jia H, Chu H, Ma X, He L, Wang X, Li K, Hu D, Zhang D. (2022). Comparative Analysis of Microbiome Metagenomics in Reintroduced Wild Horses and Resident Asiatic Wild Asses in the Gobi Desert Steppe. Microorganisms, 10(6), 1166. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10061166

Publication

ISSN: 2076-2607
NlmUniqueID: 101625893
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
PII: 1166

Researcher Affiliations

Tang, Liping
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China.
Gao, Yunyun
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China.
Yan, Liping
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China.
Jia, Huiping
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China.
Chu, Hongjun
  • Institute of Forestry Ecology, Xinjiang Academy of Forestry Sciences, Urumqi 830002, China.
Ma, Xinping
  • Xinjiang Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Nature Reserve Management Center, Urumqi 830000, China.
He, Lun
  • China Wildlife Conservation Association, Beijing 100714, China.
Wang, Xiaoting
  • China Wildlife Conservation Association, Beijing 100714, China.
Li, Kai
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China.
Hu, Defu
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China.
Zhang, Dong
  • School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing 100083, China.

Grant Funding

  • 2019JQ03018 / Beijing Forestry University Outstanding Young Talent Cultivation Project
  • 31872964 / National Science Foundation of China

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

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