RESUMEN
Introduction: Gut microbiota of wild birds are affected by many factors, and host genetic background and diet are considered to be two important factors affecting their structure and function. Methods: In order to clarify how these two factors influence the gut microbiota, this study selected the sympatric and closely related and similar-sized Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) and Common Crane (Grus grus), as well as the distantly related and significantly different-sized Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus). The fecal samples identified using sanger sequencing as the above three bird species were subjected to high-throughput sequencing of rbcL gene and 16S rRNA gene to identify the feeding types phytophagous food and gut microbiota. Results: The results showed significant differences in food diversity between black-necked cranes and Common Cranes, but no significant differences in gut microbiota, Potatoes accounted for approximately 50% of their diets. Bar-headed Geese mainly feed on medicinal plants such as Angelica sinensis, Alternanthera philoxeroides, and Ranunculus repens. Black-necked cranes and Common Cranes, which have a high-starch diet, have a similar degree of enrichment in metabolism and synthesis functions, which is significantly different from Bar-headed Geese with a high-fiber diet. The differences in metabolic pathways among the three bird species are driven by food. The feeding of medicinal plants promotes the health of Bar-headed Geese, indicating that food influences the functional pathways of gut microbiota. Spearman analysis showed that there were few gut microbiota related to food, but almost all metabolic pathways were related to food. Conclusion: The host genetic background is the dominant factor determining the composition of the microbiota. Monitoring the changes in gut microbiota and feeding types of wild birds through bird feces is of great reference value for the conservation of other endangered species.
RESUMEN
Background Prior research has shown that the European peninsulas were the main sources of Strixaluco colonisation of Northern Europe during the late glacial period. However, the phylogenetic relationship and the divergence time between S.aluco from Leigong Mountain Nature Reserve, Guizhou Province, China and the Strigiformes from overseas remains unclear. The mitochondrial genome structure of birds is a covalent double-chain loop structure that is highly conserved and, thus, suitable for phylogenetic analysis. This study examined the phylogenetic relationship and divergence time of Strix using the whole mitochondrial genome of S.aluco. New information In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Strixaluco, with a total length of 18,632 bp, is reported for the first time. A total of 37 genes were found, including 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes and two non-coding control regions. Certain species of Tytoninae were used as out-group and PhyloSuite software was applied to build the ML-tree and BI-tree of Strigiformes. Finally, the divergence time tree was constructed using BEAST 2.6.7 software and the age of Miosurniadiurna fossil-bearing sediments (6.0-9.5 Ma) was set as internal correction point. The common ancestor of Strix was confirmed to have diverged during the Pleistocene (2.58-0.01 Ma). The combined action of the dramatic uplift of the Qinling Mountains in the Middle Pleistocene and the climate oscillation of the Pleistocene caused Strix divergence between the northern and southern parts of mainland China. The isolation of glacial-interglacial rotation and glacier refuge was the main reason for the divergence of Strixuralensis and S.aluco from their common ancestor during this period. This study provides a reference for the evolutionary history of S.aluco.