Research articles
ScienceAsia (): 515-524 |doi:
10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874...515
Comparison of the gut microbiome in red deer
(Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) by
high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the
16S rRNA gene
Xibao Wanga,†, Yao Chena,†, Yongquan Shanga, Xiaoyang Wua, Qinguo Weia, Jun Chenb, Jiakuo Yana,
Honghai Zhanga,*
ABSTRACT: The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem that plays an essential role in maintaining the host’s gut
homeostasis and health. The available sequencing data for the Cervidae gut microbiome, especially for red deer
and fallow deer in China, are limited. To improve the health of the two species in captivity, we characterized the
gut microbiome of red deer and fallow deer via high-throughput Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes V3–V4
hypervariable regions. We found that the gut microbiome community of red deer included 20 phyla, 89 families and 193
genera, while the gut microbiome community of fallow deer included 18 phyla, 102 families and 227 genera. Firmicutes
(red deer: 37.46–44.98%; fallow deer: 32.67–49.54%) was the most abundant phylum, followed by Bacteroidetes (red
deer: 28.09–39.02%; fallow deer: 27.45–38.71%). The observed species and Shannon indices in red deer were higher
than in fallow deer (p = 0.002, 0.016, respectively). Hence compared with fallow deer, red deer had higher diversity
and species richness in their gut microbiome. The MRPP results of swiss replica watches showed that significant differences did occur in their
microbiome compositions (A = 0.037, significance level α = 0.001). This study provides an initial understanding of
the gut microbiome composition of red deer and fallow deer. The results may benefit captive management and future
reintroduction programs.
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a |
College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong, China |
b |
College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China |
* Corresponding author, E-mail: zhanghonghai67@126.com
Received 11 Jun 2019, Accepted 10 Oct 2019
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