Abstract

Due to the increased economic demand for livestock, the number of livestock is increasing. Because of human interference, the survival of wild animals is threatened in the face of competition, particularly in co-inhabited grazing pastures. This may lead to differences in the adaptability between wild and domestic animals, as well as nutritional deficiencies in wild animals. The gut microbiota is closely associated with host health, nutrition, and adaptability. However, the gut microbiota diversity and functions in domestic and wild animals in co-inhabited areas are unclear. To reveal the adaptability of wild and domestic animals in co-inhabited areas based on gut microbiota, we assessed the gut microbiota diversity. This study was based on the V3–V4 region of 16S rRNA and gut microbiota functions according to the metagenome analysis of fresh fecal samples in wild goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) and domestic sheep (Ovis aries) in the Qaidam Basin. The wild and domestic species showed significant differences in alpha- and beta-diversities. Specifically, the alpha-diversity was lower in goitered gazelles. We speculated that the nutritional and habitat status of the goitered gazelles were worse. The gut microbiota functions in the gazelles were enriched in metabolism and cellular processes based on the KEGG database. In summary, we reasoned that gut microbiota can improve the adaptability of goitered gazelles through energy maintenance by the functions of gut microbiota in the face of nutritional deficiencies. These findings highlight the importance of gut microbiota diversity to improve the adaptability of goitered gazelles, laying a foundation for the conservation of wild goitered gazelles. In addition, we further provide management suggestions for domestic sheep in co-inhabited grazing pastures.

Highlights

  • Wild and domestic animals that co-inhabit the same regions face similar environmental challenges and may compete for food (Xu et al, 2008a)

  • Monitoring the adaptability of wild and domestic animals in co-inhabited areas is essential to the conservation of wild animals and benefits the management of domestic animals (Woodcock et al, 2005)

  • The Qaidam Basin is the main habitat of goitered gazelles in Qinghai Province (Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, 1989) and the main domestic animals here are sheep

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Summary

Introduction

Wild and domestic animals that co-inhabit the same regions face similar environmental challenges and may compete for food (Xu et al, 2008a). The dietary overlap between wild goitered gazelles and domestic sheep during winter in the Karamely Mountain can reach 0.935, suggesting that the two species are likely to face food competition (Chu et al, 2008). Nuomuhong County in the Qaidam Basin (our sampling area) is an area co-inhabited by wild goitered gazelles and domestic animals. Wild animals inhabiting the Qaidam Basin may face low food quality coupled with severe cold during the winter months (Li et al, 2013). Wild goitered gazelles face greater survival challenges and higher competitive pressure in winter on the Qaidam Basin. The Nuomuhong County in the Qaidam basin was selected as a representative site to study the adaptability of wildlife and domestic animals in co-inhabited areas

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