Diet-induced microbiome shifts of sympatric overwintering birds

The gut microbiota of wild birds are affected by complex factors, and cross-species transmission may pose challenges for the host to maintain stable gut symbionts. Farmland habitats are environments strongly manipulated by humans, and the environmental characteristics within a large area are highly consistent. These features provide the ideal natural conditions for conducting cross-species comparative studies on gut microbiota among wild birds. This study aimed to investigate and compare the gut microbiota of three common farmland-dependent bird species, Great Bustard (Otis tarda dybowskii), Common Crane (Grus grus), and Common Coot (Fulica atra), in a homogeneous habitat during the wintering period. The results indicated that under the combined action of similar influencing factors, the gut microbiota of different host species did not undergo adaptive convergence, maintained relatively independent structures, and exhibited host-driven signals. In addition, we also detected various pathogenic genera that may cause outbreaks of periodic infections among sympatric migratory birds. We conclude that phylosymbiosis may occur between some wild birds and their gut microbiota. Usage of non-invasive methods to monitor the changes in the gut microbiota of wild bird fecal samples has important implications for the conservation of endangered species.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Analysis of the Gut Microbiota of Three Sympatric Terrestrial Wild Bird Species Overwintering in Farmland Habitats

Lǚ

Wang

et al. 2022

“…Notably, the role of migratory behavior in the formation of gut microbiota in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) has been investigated by sampling at the same location during autumn migration, indicating that there existed divergence in the intestinal microbe communities among migrant and resident subspecies, which may be attributed to the different breeding sites (Turjeman et al, 2020). Moreover, the effects of diet, age, and sex on the intestinal microbes in wild birds have also attracted extensive attention (Liu et al, 2020;Gongora et al, 2021;Li et al, 2021). Compared to populations that fed primarily on wild prey, the infection rates of Salmonella sp.…”

Section: Literature Review Of Gut Microbiota In Wild Birdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The avian gut microbiota: Diversity, influencing factors, and future directions

Sun

Chen

et al. 2022

The gut microbiota is viewed as the “second genome” of animals, sharing intricate relationships with their respective hosts. Because the gut microbial community and its diversity are affected by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors, studying intestinal microbes has become an important research topic. However, publications are dominated by studies on domestic or captive birds, while research on the composition and response mechanism of environmental changes in the gut microbiota of wild birds remains scarce. Therefore, it is important to understand the co-evolution of host and intestinal bacteria under natural conditions to elucidate the diversity, maintenance mechanisms, and functions of gut microbes in wild birds. Here, the existing knowledge of gut microbiota in captive and wild birds is summarized, along with previous studies on the composition and function, research methods employed, and factors influencing the avian gut microbial communities. Furthermore, research hotspots and directions were also discussed to identify the dynamics of the avian gut microbiota, aiming to contribute to studies of avian microbiology in the future.

“…The gut microbiome of wildlife is not only closely related to the requirements of nutrition and health but also affected by food and habitats ( Ley et al, 2008 ; Wei et al, 2019 ). Animals living in different habitats have different intestinal flora with different diets ( Rothschild et al, 2017 ; Li et al, 2021 ; Xia et al, 2021 ). Animals have to adapt to changes in habitats and food after introduction, which can lead to synergistic changes in the gut microbiome.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diet-induced microbial adaptation process of red deer (Cervus elaphus) under different introduced periods

Guo

Jin²,

Tian³

et al. 2022

Insufficient prey density is a major factor hindering the recovery of the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), and to effectively restore the Amur tiger, red deer (Cervus elaphus) was released into the Huangnihe National Nature Reserve of Northeast China as the main reinforcement. Differences in feeding and synergistic changes caused by the intestinal microbial communities could impact the adaptation of wildlife following reintroductions into field environments. We analyzed the foraging changes in shaping the intestinal microbial community of the red deer after being released to the Huangnihe National Nature Reserve and screened the key microbial flora of the red deer when processing complex food resources. The feeding and intestinal microbial communities of the red deer were analyzed by plant Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) barcoding sequencing and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, respectively. The results showed that there were significant differences in food composition between wild and released groups [released in 2019 (R2): n = 5; released in 2021 (R0): n = 6]; the wild group fed mainly on Acer (31.8%) and Abies (25.6%), R2 fed mainly on Betula (44.6%), R0 had not formed a clear preferred feeding pattern but had certain abilities to process and adapt to natural foods. Firmicutes (77.47%) and Bacteroides (14.16%) constituted the main bacterial phylum of red deer, of which, the phylum Firmicutes was the key species of the introduced red deer for processing complex food resources (p < 0.05). The wild release process significantly changed the intestinal microbial structure of the red deer, making it integrate into the wild red deer. The period since release into the wild may be a key factor in reshaping the structure of the microbial community. This study suggested that the intestinal microbial structure of red deer was significantly different depending on how long since captive deer has been translocated. Individuals that have lived in similar environments for a long time will have similar gut microbes. This is the adaption process of the wildlife to natural environment after wild release, taking into account the gut microbes, and the feeding changes in shaping microbial communities can help introduced red deer match complex food resources and novel field environments.