Abstract
In this pilot study, we determined the core fecal microbiota composition and overall microbiota diversity of domesticated herbivorous animals of three digestion types: hindgut fermenters, ruminants, and monogastrics. The 42 animals representing 10 animal species were housed on a single farm in Ireland and all the large herbivores consumed similar feed, harmonizing two of the environmental factors that influence the microbiota. Similar to other mammals, the fecal microbiota of all these animals was dominated by the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla. The fecal microbiota spanning all digestion types comprised 42% of the genera identified. Host phylogeny and, to a lesser extent, digestion type determined the microbiota diversity in these domesticated herbivores. This pilot study forms a platform for future studies into the microbiota of nonbovine and nonequine domesticated herbivorous animals.
Highlights
Animal digestion types are classified as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores
The objective of this pilot study was to identify the bacterial taxa present in hindgut fermenters and ruminant animals dwelling on a single farm
The colocalization of the large herbivores in particular, studied here removes the geographic, management regime, and diet differences noted in other studies (O’ Donnell et al, 2013; Shanks et al, 2011; Yamano, Koike, Kobayashi, & Hata, 2008)
Summary
Animal digestion types are classified as herbivores (ruminants and hindgut fermenters), carnivores, and omnivores. Diet and not phylogeny of the host had the greatest influence on the gut microbiota taxa present (Muegge et al, 2011) This pilot study aimed to identify the overall fecal microbiota composition and the fecal microbiota of nine species of herbivorous domesticated animal that span two digestion physiologies/types with pigs included as an omnivorous comparator (10 species in total).
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