Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition among three captive hornbills

This study investigated the gut microbiota of three captive hornbill species (Anthracoceros albirostris, Buceros bicornis, Rhyticeros undulatus) at the Nanning Zoo. Fecal samples were aseptically collected from 30 hornbills, and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze the composi...

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Main Authors: Enmei Yang, Song Wang, Huajuan Feng, Fanglin Zheng, Yubao Duan, Shuang Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1642332/full
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author Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Song Wang
Huajuan Feng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
author_facet Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Song Wang
Huajuan Feng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
author_sort Enmei Yang
collection DOAJ
description This study investigated the gut microbiota of three captive hornbill species (Anthracoceros albirostris, Buceros bicornis, Rhyticeros undulatus) at the Nanning Zoo. Fecal samples were aseptically collected from 30 hornbills, and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze the composition, diversity, and potential functions of the gut microbiota. The influence of host taxonomic status, sex, and captive environment on the gut microbiota was explored. The results revealed that the dominant phyla in the gut microbiota of all three hornbill species were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Although no significant differences were detected in the gut microbiota composition among different species and sexes, LEfSe analysis indicated significant enrichment of Erysipelotrichaceae and Lactobacillus_hayakitensis_DSM_18933_JCM_14209 in the Oriental Pied Hornbill group, as well as Clostridiales, Paenibacillaceae, and Paenibacillus_xylanilyticus in the Great Hornbill group. PICRUSt analysis indicated that the functional genes of the gut microbiota in all three hornbill species were primarily enriched in metabolic pathways, showing similar relative abundances. This study suggests that the gut microbiota characteristics of hornbills align with those of omnivorous birds. The homogenization of food resources in a captive environment may weaken the impact of host differences on the gut microbiota. The research findings provide a scientific basis for the health management of captive hornbills and the microecological assessment of wild population habitats.
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spelling doaj-art-3fcad906ddf14c5985bbc91cd7bd3ceb2025-08-20T03:40:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-08-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.16423321642332Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition among three captive hornbillsEnmei Yang0Enmei Yang1Enmei Yang2Enmei Yang3Enmei Yang4Song Wang5Huajuan Feng6Fanglin Zheng7Fanglin Zheng8Fanglin Zheng9Fanglin Zheng10Fanglin Zheng11Yubao Duan12Yubao Duan13Yubao Duan14Yubao Duan15Yubao Duan16Shuang Yang17Shuang Yang18Shuang Yang19Shuang Yang20Shuang Yang21The Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory for Conserving Wildlife with Small Populations in Yunnan, College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaNanning Zoo, Nanning, ChinaNanning Zoo, Nanning, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory for Conserving Wildlife with Small Populations in Yunnan, College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory for Conserving Wildlife with Small Populations in Yunnan, College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory for Conserving Wildlife with Small Populations in Yunnan, College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaThis study investigated the gut microbiota of three captive hornbill species (Anthracoceros albirostris, Buceros bicornis, Rhyticeros undulatus) at the Nanning Zoo. Fecal samples were aseptically collected from 30 hornbills, and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze the composition, diversity, and potential functions of the gut microbiota. The influence of host taxonomic status, sex, and captive environment on the gut microbiota was explored. The results revealed that the dominant phyla in the gut microbiota of all three hornbill species were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Although no significant differences were detected in the gut microbiota composition among different species and sexes, LEfSe analysis indicated significant enrichment of Erysipelotrichaceae and Lactobacillus_hayakitensis_DSM_18933_JCM_14209 in the Oriental Pied Hornbill group, as well as Clostridiales, Paenibacillaceae, and Paenibacillus_xylanilyticus in the Great Hornbill group. PICRUSt analysis indicated that the functional genes of the gut microbiota in all three hornbill species were primarily enriched in metabolic pathways, showing similar relative abundances. This study suggests that the gut microbiota characteristics of hornbills align with those of omnivorous birds. The homogenization of food resources in a captive environment may weaken the impact of host differences on the gut microbiota. The research findings provide a scientific basis for the health management of captive hornbills and the microecological assessment of wild population habitats.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1642332/fullhornbillsgut microbiotadiversity16s rRNA sequencing technologygut microbiota composition
spellingShingle Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Enmei Yang
Song Wang
Huajuan Feng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Fanglin Zheng
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Yubao Duan
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
Shuang Yang
Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition among three captive hornbills
Frontiers in Microbiology
hornbills
gut microbiota
diversity
16s rRNA sequencing technology
gut microbiota composition
title Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition among three captive hornbills
title_full Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition among three captive hornbills
title_fullStr Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition among three captive hornbills
title_full_unstemmed Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition among three captive hornbills
title_short Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition among three captive hornbills
title_sort comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition among three captive hornbills
topic hornbills
gut microbiota
diversity
16s rRNA sequencing technology
gut microbiota composition
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1642332/full
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