Journal article
Gut microbiota and their putative metabolic functions in fragmented Bengal tiger population of Nepal
PLoS One, Vol.14(8), e0221868
2019
Abstract
Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) serve a pivotal role as an apex predator in forest ecosystems. To increase our knowledge on factors impacting the viability and health of this endangered species, we studied the gut microbiota in 32 individual Bengal tigers from three geographically separated areas (Chitwan National Park (CNP), Bardia National Park (BNP) and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR)) in Nepal, using noninvasive genetic sampling methods. Gut microbiota influence the immune system, impact various physiological functions, and modulates metabolic reactions, that ultimately impact the host health, behavior and development. Across the tiger populations in Nepal, we found significant differences in the composition of microbial communities based on their geographic locations. Specifically, we detected significant differences between CNP and the other two protected areas (CNP vs BNP: pseudo t = 1.944, P = 0.006; CNP vs SWR: pseudo t = 1.9942, P = 0.0071), but no differences between BNP and SWR. This mirrors what has been found for tiger gene flow in the same populations, suggesting gut microbiota composition and host gene flow may be linked. Furthermore, predictive metagenome functional content analysis (PICRUSt) revealed a higher functional enrichment and diversity for significant gut microbiota in the Chitwan tiger population and the lowest enrichment and diversity in Suklaphanta. The CNP tiger population contained higher proportions of microbiota that are associated with predicted functions relevant for metabolism of amino acid, lipid, xenobiotics biodegradation, terpenoides and polyketides than the SWR population. We conclude the tiger population structure, gut microbiota profile and associated functional metabolic categories are correlated, with geographically most separated CNP and SWR tiger population having the most distinct and different host genotype and microbiota profiles. Our work dramatically expands the understanding of tiger microbiota in wild populations and provides a valuable case study on how to investigate genetic diversity at different hierarchical levels, including hosts as well as their microbial communities.
Details
- Title
- Gut microbiota and their putative metabolic functions in fragmented Bengal tiger population of Nepal
- Authors
- Dibesh Karmacharya (Author) - Griffith UniversityPrajwol Manandhar (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, NepalSulochana Manandhar (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, NepalAdarsh M Sherchan (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, NepalAjay N Sharma (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, NepalJyoti Joshi (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, NepalManisha Bista (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, NepalShailendra Bajracharya (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, NepalNagendra P Awasthi (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, NepalNetra Sharma (Author) - U.S. Agency for International Development, NepalBronwyn Llewellyn (Author) - U.S. Agency for International Development, NepalLisette P Waits (Author) - University of Idaho, United StatesKanchan Thapa (Author) - Virginia Tech, United StatesMarcella J Kelly (Author) - Virginia Tech, United StatesMomchilo Vuyisich (Author) - Los Alamos National Lab, United StatesShawn R Starkenburg (Author) - Los Alamos National Lab, United StatesJean-Marc Hero (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringJane Hughes (Author) - Griffith UniversityClaudia Wultsch (Author) - City University of New York, United StatesLaura Bertola (Author) - Leiden University, NetherlandsNicholas M Fountain-Jones (Author) - University of Minnesota, United StatesAmit K Sinha (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
- Publication details
- PLoS One, Vol.14(8), e0221868; 22
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Date published
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0221868
- ISSN
- 1932-6203; 1932-6203
- Copyright note
- Copyright This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450719902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
- Research Statement
- false
Metrics
23 File views/ downloads
119 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Ecology
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites