AUTHOR=Ma Xiaoping , Li Zhiguo , Cai Lijun , Xiao Mei , He Fang , Liu Zhen , Chen Dong , Wang Ya , Shen Limin , Gu Yu 

TITLE=Analysis of fungal diversity in the gut feces of wild takin (Budorcas taxicolor)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1364486

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2024.1364486

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Introduction</title><p>The composition of the intestinal microbiome correlates significantly with an animal’s health status. Hence, this indicator is highly important and sensitive for protecting endangered animals. However, data regarding the fungal diversity of the wild <italic>Budorcas taxicolor</italic> (takin) gut remain scarce. Therefore, this study analyzes the fungal diversity, community structure, and pathogen composition in the feces of wild <italic>B. taxicolor</italic>.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>To ensure comprehensive data analyses, we collected 82 fecal samples from five geographical sites. Amplicon sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA was used to assess fecal core microbiota and potential pathogens to determine whether the microflora composition is related to geographical location or diet. We further validated the ITS rRNA sequencing results via amplicon metagenomic sequencing and culturing of fecal fungi.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results and discussion</title><p>The fungal diversity in the feces of wild <italic>Budorcas taxicolor</italic> primarily comprised three phyla (99.69%): Ascomycota (82.19%), Fungi_unclassified (10.37%), and Basidiomycota (7.13%). At the genus level, the predominant fungi included <italic>Thelebolus</italic> (30.93%), <italic>Functional_unclassified</italic> (15.35%), and <italic>Ascomycota_unclassified</italic> (10.37%). Within these genera, certain strains exhibit pathogenic properties, such as <italic>Thelebolus</italic>, <italic>Cryptococcus</italic>, <italic>Trichosporon</italic>, <italic>Candida</italic>, <italic>Zopfiella</italic>, and <italic>Podospora</italic>. Collectively, this study offers valuable information for evaluating the health status of <italic>B. taxicolor</italic> and formulating protective strategies.</p></sec>