Change in gut histomorphology and microbiota in Chinese strip‐necked turtle hatchlings

Abstract

The development of the digestive system in the hatchling, especially in the critical stage of first feeding, is of great importance for rearing techniques of turtles. In the present study, the developments of intestinal histomorphology and microbiota during the first 30 days (0, 10, 20 and 30 days after hatched) of Chinese strip‐necked turtle (Mauremys sinensis) were investigated. The results showed that the height and width of intestinal villus and total length of intestine progressed with turtle's growth. The diversity of intestinal microbiota (Shannon and Simpson index) was no significant difference between first 30 days, but the richness indexes (Chao and Ace) significantly increased at 20 days after hatched. The phylum Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes dominated the turtle gut microbiota. The abundances of family Weeksellaceae, Aeromonadaceae, Cytophagaceae and Lachnospiraceae increased, whereas the family Ruminococcaceae decreased at 10 days after the first feeding. With turtle growing, the abundances of Bacteroidaceae and Methylobacteriaceae increased, which dominated at 30 days (28.49% and 22.08%, respectively). The order of Clostridiales and genus of Clostridium dominated in all the tested turtle samples in spite of the low abundance of environment including vermiculite, water and feed. Therefore, the members of Clostridium would be potential probiotic for turtles although future investigations should determine their roles in the turtle gut microbiota.

Fine-scale geographic difference of the endangered Big-headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) fecal microbiota, and comparison with the syntopic Beale’s Eyed Turtle (Sacalia bealei)

“…Studies of turtle gut microbiota are increasing, but relatively few compared to mammals and model organisms [ 3 ]. As with other taxa, the early turtle studies have focused on characterizing the gut microbiota of individual species, and the influence of singular factors, such as diet [ 56 , 57 ], captivity [ 6 , 58 ], age [ 57 , 59 – 61 ], chemicals/pollution [ 62 , 63 ], and habitat/geography [ 55 , 64 – 66 ]. Our study highlights the influence of diet on the intra- and interspecific differences in turtle gut microbiota.…”

Gut microbiome of the sole surviving member of reptile order Rhynchocephalia reveals biogeographic variation, influence of host body condition and a substantial core microbiota in tuatara across New Zealand

“…A range of factors are now known to influence reptile gut microbiotas, including stressors such as high temperature, disease and pollution (Biagi et al., 2021; Indest et al., 2018; Khan et al., 2021; Madison et al., 2018; McNally et al., 2021; Moeller et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2022). Geographic distribution also influences the reptile gut microbiota (Baldo et al., 2018; Price et al., 2017; Zhang et al., 2021), as do life stage and diet (Campos et al., 2019; Du et al., 2022; Holmes et al., 2019; Hong et al., 2021; Kohl et al., 2014; Peng et al., 2020; Tang, Wang, et al., 2019; Tang, Zhu, et al., 2019b; Youngblut et al., 2019) and, in at least some cases, host phylogeny (Hoffbeck et al., 2023; Song et al., 2020). However, research on bacterial communities from reptiles has so far only included members of the orders Squamata, Testudines and Crocodilia, and is yet to consider the fourth reptile order, Rhynchocephalia.…”

16S rRNA gene‐based meta‐analysis of the reptile gut microbiota reveals environmental effects, host influences and a limited core microbiota

“…As in other host taxa, many of the existing reptile studies have focused on understanding how stressors like disease, pollution and heat affect the microbial community (Biagi et al, 2021; Indest et al, 2018; Khan et al, 2021; Madison et al, 2018; McNally et al, 2021; Moeller et al, 2020; Zhang et al, 2022). Others have investigated differences between captive and wild hosts (Eliades et al, 2021; Filek et al, 2021; Fong et al, 2020; Kohl et al, 2017; Sandri et al, 2020; Tang et al, 2020; Zhou et al, 2020), among individuals of a given species in different habitats or body locations (Baldo et al, 2018; McKnight et al, 2020; Price et al, 2017; Tang et al, 2019; Zhang et al, 2021), or across life stages and dietary items (Campos et al, 2019; Du et al, 2022; Holmes et al, 2019; Hong et al, 2021; Kohl et al, 2014; Peng et al, 2020; Tang et al, 2019; Youngblut et al, 2019).…”