Characterization of the bacterial microbiota composition and evolution at different intestinal tract in wild pigs (Sus scrofa ussuricus)

Abstract

Commensal microorganisms are essential to the normal development and function of many aspects of animal biology, including digestion, nutrient absorption, immunological development, behaviors, and evolution. The specific microbial composition and evolution of the intestinal tracts of wild pigs remain poorly characterized. This study therefore sought to assess the composition, distribution, and evolution of the intestinal microbiome of wild pigs. For these analyses, 16S rRNA V3-V4 regions from five gut sections prepared from each of three wild sows were sequenced to detect the microbiome composition. These analyses revealed the presence of 6,513 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) mostly distributed across 17 phyla and 163 genera in these samples, with Firmicutes and Actinobacteria being the most prevalent phyla of microbes present in cecum and jejunum samples, respectively. Moreover, the abundance of Actinobacteria in wild pigs was higher than that in domestic pigs. At the genus level the Bifidobacterium and Allobaculum species of microbes were most abundant in all tested gut sections, with higher relative abundance in wild pigs relative to domestic pigs, indicating that in the process of pig evolution, the intestinal microbes also evolved, and changes in the intestinal microbial diversity could have been one of the evolutionary forces of pigs. Intestinal microbial functional analyses also revealed the microbes present in the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and large intestine (cecum and colon) of wild pigs to engage distinct metabolic spatial structures and pathways relative to one another. Overall, these results offer unique insights that would help to advance the current understanding of how the intestinal microbes interact with the host and affect the evolution of pigs.

Gut microbiota reveals the environmental adaption in gastro-intestinal tract of wild boar in karst region of Southwest China

“…Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Fusobacteria, and Spirochetes were the major phyla in gastrointestinal system of wild boar. This is similar to the gut microbiota distribution of most mammals such as domestic pigs, captive wild boars, Hainan special wild boar, snubnosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti), and moose (Alces alces) (Ishaq and Wright 2014;Wang et al 2020;Wu et al 2010;Yang et al 2020;Yang et al 2016). Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are widely present in herbivorous animals, especially in ungulates.…”

“…It is also of great significance in metabolism, immune regulation and a variety of gut diseases (Chi et al 2014;Huang et al 2018;Xiong et al 2015;Zhu et al 2016). In our study, a total of 394 genera, 160 families, 23 phyla were identified, and the abundance and diversity of microbiota were higher than those of the captive wild boars and domestic pigs from Xinyang County, Henan Province (163 genera, 17 phyla) and Chongqing City (118 genera, 13 phyla) (Wang et al 2020;Yang et al 2020;Yang et al 2016). This may be due to the difference in gut microbiota caused by different breeds (Huang et al 2020), or the difference between captive and wild environments.…”

Gut Microbiota Reveals the Environmental Adaption in Gastro-intestinal Tract of Wild Boar in Karst Region of Southwest China

“…This is related to the high abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Prevotella_7 and Chris-tensenellaceae_R-7_group, which requires anaerobic conditions and carbohydrate energy sources in dietary bers (such as cellulose or xylan). Similar functions have been found in the captive wild boar (Yang 2020). This study suggests that microbes in the small intestine are more inclined to quickly digest, absorb simple carbohydrates such as glucose and maltose.…”

“…It is also of great signi cance in metabolism, immune regulation and a variety of gut diseases (Chi et Huang et al 2018). In our study, a total of 394 genera, 160 families, 23 phyla were identi ed, and the abundance and diversity of microbiota were higher than those of the captive wild boars and domestic pigs from Xinyang County, Henan Province (163 genera, 17 phyla) and Chongqing City (118 genera, 13 phyla)(Wang 2020, Yang et al 2016, Yang et al 2020). This may be due to the difference in gut microbiota caused by different breeds (Huang 2020), or the difference between captive and wild environments.…”

Characterization of Bacterial Microbiota Composition in Healthy and Diarrheal Early-Weaned Tibetan Piglets

“…Actinobacteria were mainly distributed in the stomach of herbivores, and they promote fiber decomposition and help in the digestive function of these animals (22). It is noteworthy that Actinobacteria was dominant phylum in Tibetan piglets, which was identified with predecessor's research in wild pigs (23). This phenomenon may be related to the herbivorous nature of Tibetan piglets.…”