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Sun Y, Yu Y, Wu A, Zhang C, Liu X, Qian C, Li J, Ran J. The composition and function of the gut microbiota of Francois' langurs ( Trachypithecus francoisi) depend on the environment and diet. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1269492. [PMID: 38033571 PMCID: PMC10687571 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1269492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiota is essential for the extraction of energy and nutrition from plant-based diets and may have facilitated primate adaptation to new dietary niches in response to rapid environmental shifts. In this study, metagenomic sequencing technology was used to analyze the compositional structure and functional differences of the gut microbial community of Francois' langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) under different environmental and dietary conditions. The results showed that in terms of the composition of the gut microbial community, there were significant differences among the gut microbiota of Francois' langurs (anthropogenic disturbed populations, wild populations, and captive populations) under different environmental and dietary conditions. The microbial communities with the highest abundance in Francois' langurs were Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Firmicutes was the most abundant phylum in anthropogenic disturbed Francois' langurs and the least abundant in captive Francois' langurs. The abundance of Bacteroidetes was highest in captive Francois' langurs. In the analysis and comparison of alpha diversity, the diversity of the gut microbiota of Francois' langurs affected by anthropogenic disturbance was the highest. The significant differences in gut microbiota between Francois' langurs in different environments and different diets were further supported by principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), with the disturbance group having a gut microbiota more similar to the wild group. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional annotation analysis indicated a high abundance of functional genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, replication and repair, cofactor and vitamin metabolism, and other amino acid metabolism pathways. Additionally, the functional genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism pathways were significantly enriched in the gut microbial community of Francois' langurs that were anthropogenic disturbed and captive. The gut microbiota of the Francois' langurs exhibited potential plasticity for dietary flexibility, and long-term food availability in captive populations leads to changes in gut microbiota composition and function. This study explored the composition and function of the gut microbiota of Francois' langurs and provided a scientific basis for understanding the physiological and health status of Francois' langurs, effectively protecting the population of wild Francois' langurs and reintroducing captive Francois' langurs into the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Sun
- School of Biological Sciences, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Fanjingshan Observation and Research Station for Forest Ecosystem, Tongren, China
- Guizhou Caohai Observation and Research Station for Wet Ecosystem, Bijie, China
| | - Yanze Yu
- Wildlife Institute of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Ankang Wu
- Mayanghe National Nature Reserve Administration, Tongren, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Guizhou Forest Wildlife Park, Guiyang, China
| | - Xun Liu
- School of Biological Sciences, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, China
| | - Changjiang Qian
- School of Biological Sciences, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jianfeng Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Resources Exploitation and Utilization in Colleges and Universities of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jingcheng Ran
- Guizhou Fanjingshan Observation and Research Station for Forest Ecosystem, Tongren, China
- Guizhou Caohai Observation and Research Station for Wet Ecosystem, Bijie, China
- Guizhou Academy of Forestry Sciences, Guiyang, China
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Impacts of the Wild Boar ( Sus scrofa) on the Livelihood of Rural Communities in Pakistan and Understanding Public Attitudes towards Wild Boars. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233381. [PMID: 36496900 PMCID: PMC9739611 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation goals can only be best achieved when there is firm support and cooperation from locals, especially in emerging economies where poor communities often bear most of the cost of human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs). In this study, we explored the economic losses caused by wild boars in two districts, i.e., the Peshawar district and the Nowshera district, in north-western Pakistan. Between May and June 2022, 589 respondents from 53 villages were interviewed. The results revealed that the wild boar was chiefly involved in crop raiding, causing an annual economic loss of USD 12,030 (USD 20.42/household). The highly raided crops included maize (40.24%), followed by wheat (24.95%), vegetables (22.65%), and sugarcane (6.29%). Wild boars were also held accountable for orchard damages. Most people consider the wild boar a common species in the area and want it completely eliminated. We believe that the increasing wild boar population is alarming and should be noticed. The government should collaborate with the local communities to use innovative methods to deter wild boars. Compensation schemes for crop damages should be launched. Moreover, the regular investigation of the wild boar population size and their carrying capacities should be enlisted as integral parts of wildlife management in the area.
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Khattak RH, Mehmood T, Teng L, Ahmad S, Rehman EU, Liu Z. Assessing human–Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) conflicts in Kumrat Valley—Western flanks of Hindu Kush Region, northern Pakistan. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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How do local people value ecosystem service benefits received from conservation programs? Evidence from nature reserves on the Hengduan Mountains. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Understanding the Dynamics of Human–Wildlife Conflicts in North-Western Pakistan: Implications for Sustainable Conservation. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su131910793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The high economic costs of human–wildlife conflicts (HWC) hinder long-term conservation successes, especially in developing countries. We investigated HWC by interviewing 498 respondents from 42 villages in Nowshera district, Pakistan. According to respondents, six species—the common leopard (Panthera pardus), grey wolf (Canis lupus), golden jackal (Canis aureus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica), and wild boar (Sus scrofa)—were involved in livestock predation and crop-raiding. Livestock predation (N = 670) translated into a total annual economic loss of USD 48,490 across the 42 villages, with the highest economic loss of USD 57.1/household/year attributed to the golden jackal. Crop damage by wild boar and porcupine incurred a total annual economic loss of USD 18,000. Results further showed that livestock predation was highly affected by location, prey type, prey age, and herding practices, while cereals and vegetables were preferred crops for wild boar and Indian porcupine. The grey wolf was declared as the most dangerous carnivore, followed by the golden jackal and common leopard. Negative attitude about golden jackal and wild boar prevails among 90% of the respondents of the study area. We strongly assume that the abundance of apex predators can control the economic impacts of meso-carnivores and wild boar on the community’s livelihood. Keeping relatively smaller herds may reduce carnivore attacks and educating the populous and compensation can minimise negative perceptions of HWC. To reduce HWC in the study area, there should be an incessant and timely coordination between wildlife officials and the local community.
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