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Zhu X, Cheng B, Li H, Zhou L, Yan F, Wang X, Zhang Q, Singh VP, Cui L, Jiang B. Deteriorating wintertime habitat conditions for waterfowls in Caizi Lake, China: Drivers and adaptive measures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 953:176020. [PMID: 39236833 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
China has made enormous strides to achieve high-quality development and biodiversity conservation, and the establishment of nature-protected areas is one of the essential initiatives. Caizi Lake involves a natural reserve and two national wetland parks, accommodating winter migratory waterfowl over the middle and lower Yangtze River basin in China. However, the water transfer from the Yangtze River to the Huai River (YR-HR water transfer) has modified the winter hydrological conditions of Caizi Lake, negatively affecting wintertime waterfowl habitats. Hence, conserving wintertime waterfowl habitats necessitates knowledge of the dynamical mechanisms behind the impacts of YR-HR water transfer on wintertime waterfowl habitats and adaptive measures. Here we developed a machine learning model, the normalized difference vegetation index, and on-spot observatory datasets such as the spatial distribution of waterfowl species and underwater topography of Caizi Lake. We found that the rising winter water level of Caizi Lake encroaches on winter waterfowl habitat with extremely high suitability. Meanwhile, rising water levels reduced waterfowl food sources. Thus, rising water levels due to YR-HR water transfer deteriorated waterfowl living conditions over Caizi Lake. Therefore, we proposed adaptive measures to alleviate these negative effects, such as water level regulation, artificial feeding of waterfowls, restoration and reconstruction of contiguous mudflats, grass flats. This study highlights human interferences with waterfowl habitats, necessitating biodiversity conservation at regional scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiudi Zhu
- Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute, Wuhan 430051, China; Key Laboratory of Ecological Regulation of Non-Point Source Pollution in Lake and Reservoir Water Sources, Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Cheng
- Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute, Wuhan 430051, China; Key Laboratory of Ecological Regulation of Non-Point Source Pollution in Lake and Reservoir Water Sources, Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongqing Li
- Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute, Wuhan 430051, China; Key Laboratory of Ecological Regulation of Non-Point Source Pollution in Lake and Reservoir Water Sources, Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Wuhan, China
| | - Lizhi Zhou
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Fengling Yan
- Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute, Wuhan 430051, China; Key Laboratory of Ecological Regulation of Non-Point Source Pollution in Lake and Reservoir Water Sources, Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Wang
- Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute, Wuhan 430051, China; Key Laboratory of Ecological Regulation of Non-Point Source Pollution in Lake and Reservoir Water Sources, Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Advanced Interdisciplinary Institute of Environment and Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China.
| | - Vijay P Singh
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Zachry Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; National Water and Energy Center, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lijuan Cui
- Institute of Wetland Research/Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Bo Jiang
- Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute, Wuhan 430051, China; Key Laboratory of Ecological Regulation of Non-Point Source Pollution in Lake and Reservoir Water Sources, Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Wuhan, China.
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Li W, Cheng L, He X, He G, Liu Y, Sang Z, Wang Y, Shao M, Xiong T, Xu H, Zhao J. Gut fungi of black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) respond to dietary changes during wintering. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:232. [PMID: 38951807 PMCID: PMC11218170 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03396-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migratory birds exhibit heterogeneity in foraging strategies during wintering to cope with environmental and migratory pressures, and gut bacteria respond to changes in host diet. However, less is known about the dynamics of diet and gut fungi during the wintering period in black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis). RESULTS In this work, we performed amplicon sequencing of the trnL-P6 loop and ITS1 regions to characterize the dietary composition and gut fungal composition of black-necked cranes during wintering. Results indicated that during the wintering period, the plant-based diet of black-necked cranes mainly consisted of families Poaceae, Solanaceae, and Polygonaceae. Among them, the abundance of Solanaceae, Polygonaceae, Fabaceae, and Caryophyllaceae was significantly higher in the late wintering period, which also led to a more even consumption of various food types by black-necked cranes during this period. The diversity of gut fungal communities and the abundance of core fungi were more conserved during the wintering period, primarily dominated by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. LEfSe analysis (P < 0.05, LDA > 2) found that Pyxidiophora, Pseudopeziza, Sporormiella, Geotrichum, and Papiliotrema were significantly enriched in early winter, Ramularia and Dendryphion were significantly enriched in mid-winter, Barnettozyma was significantly abundant in late winter, and Pleuroascus was significantly abundant in late winter. Finally, mantel test revealed a significant correlation between winter diet and gut fungal. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed the dynamic changes in the food composition and gut fungal community of black-necked cranes during wintering in Dashanbao. In the late wintering period, their response to environmental and migratory pressures was to broaden their diet, increase the intake of non-preferred foods, and promote a more balanced consumption ratio of various foods. Balanced food composition played an important role in stabilizing the structure of the gut fungal community. While gut fungal effectively enhanced the host's food utilization rate, they may also faced potential risks of introducing pathogenic fungi. Additionally, we recongnized the limitations of fecal testing in studying the composition of animal gut fungal, as it cannot effectively distinguished between fungal taxa from food or soil inadvertently ingested and intestines. Future research on functions such as cultivation and metagenomics may further elucidate the role of fungi in the gut ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Li
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 46, Xinkang Road, Yucheng District, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, China
| | - Lijun Cheng
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Gastrodia and Fungi Symbiotic Biology, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
| | - Xin He
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Guiwen He
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Gastrodia and Fungi Symbiotic Biology, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
| | - Yutong Liu
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Zhenglin Sang
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Gastrodia and Fungi Symbiotic Biology, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
| | - Yuanjian Wang
- Management Bureau of Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve, Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, 657000, China
| | - Mingcui Shao
- Management Bureau of Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve, Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, 657000, China
| | - Tingsong Xiong
- Management Bureau of Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve, Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, 657000, China
| | - Huailiang Xu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 46, Xinkang Road, Yucheng District, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, China.
| | - Junsong Zhao
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China.
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Gastrodia and Fungi Symbiotic Biology, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China.
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Li W, Zhao J, Tian H, Shen Y, Wang Y, Shao M, Xiong T, Yao Y, Zhang L, Chen X, Xiao H, Xiong Y, Yang S, Tan C, Xu H. Gut microbiota enhance energy accumulation of black-necked crane to cope with impending migration. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s00253-023-12598-x. [PMID: 37249588 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12598-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Less is known about the role of gut microbiota in overwintering environmental adaptation in migratory birds. Here, we performed metagenomic sequencing on fresh fecal samples (n = 24) collected during 4 periods of overwintering (Dec: early; Jan: middle I; Feb: middle II; Mar: late) to characterize gut microbial taxonomic and functional characteristics of black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis). The results demonstrated no significant change in microbial diversity among overwintering periods. Analysis of compositions of microbiomes with bias correction (ANCOM-BC) determined 15 Proteobacteria species enriched in late overwintering period. Based on previous reports, these species are associated with degradation of chitin, cellulose, and lipids. Meanwhile, fatty acid degradation and betalain biosynthesis pathways are enriched in late overwintering period. Furthermore, metagenomic binning obtained 91 high-quality bins (completeness >70% and contamination <10%), 5 of which enriched in late overwintering period. Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, unknown Enterobacteriaceae, and Yersinia frederiksenii have genes for chitin and cellulose degradation, acetate, and glutamate production. Unknown Enterobacteriaceae and Y. frederiksenii hold genes for synthesis of 10 essential amino acids required by birds, and the latter has genes for γ-aminobutyrate production. C. maltaromaticum has genes for pyridoxal synthesis. These results implied the gut microbiota is adapted to the host diet and may help black-necked cranes in pre-migratory energy accumulation by degrading the complex polysaccharide in their diet, supplying essential amino acids and vitamin pyridoxal, and producing acetate, glutamate, and γ-aminobutyrate that could stimulate host feeding. Additionally, enriched Proteobacteria also encoded more carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in late overwintering period. KEY POINTS: • Differences in gut microbiota function during overwintering period of black-necked cranes depend mainly on changes in core microbiota abundance • Gut microbiota of black-necked crane adapted to the diet during overwintering period • Gut microbiota could help black-necked cranes to accumulate more energy in the late overwintering period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Li
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
| | - Junsong Zhao
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
| | - Hong Tian
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
| | - Yanqiong Shen
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
| | - Yuanjian Wang
- Management Bureau of Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, Zhaotong, 657000, Yunnan, China
| | - Mingcui Shao
- Management Bureau of Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, Zhaotong, 657000, Yunnan, China
| | - Tingsong Xiong
- Management Bureau of Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, Zhaotong, 657000, Yunnan, China
| | - Yongfang Yao
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Xinyu Chen
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Hongtao Xiao
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Shengzhi Yang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Cui Tan
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Huailiang Xu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China.
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Spatio-Temporal Distribution Patterns and Determinant Factors of Wintering Hooded Cranes (Grus monacha) Population. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14121091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hooded Cranes (Grus monacha) rely on wetlands for the majority of their life cycle and respond to the environmental conditions during the wintering period. Future conservation planning should be driven by an understanding of how cranes respond to environmental factors at degraded wetland sites and the changes in their spatio-temporal distribution. In recent years, the spatial and temporal distribution of waterbirds and determinant factors have become a research focus. However, research on the specific factors influencing the relative abundance of Hooded Cranes from multiple perspectives in the different habitat patches at Shengjin and Caizi Lakes is lacking. Therefore, from 2021 to 2022, we investigated the quantity and distribution of Hooded Cranes in the upper part of Shengjin and Baitu Lake part of Caizi Lakes. We considered multiple habitat variables, including patch size, food biomass, food availability, and human disturbance, and analyzed the dynamic changes in the distribution of the population in different wintering periods. We used model selection and averaging to select the best model and identify key variables. During different wintering periods, the spatio-temporal distribution of the crane population differed in the upper part of Shengjin Lake, but the crane was mainly distributed in the northern part of the Baitu Lake part of Caizi Lake. The model that included food biomass and patch size was the best for predicting the relative abundance of Hooded Cranes. Cranes foraged in areas with large patches and abundant food resources. Therefore, we suggest reserving patch integrity and availability in the current habitats and protecting and restoring the main food resources to provide high-quality habitat patches and plentiful food resources for wintering populations of Hooded Cranes.
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Wu Y, Li Z, Zhao J, Chen Z, Xiang X. Significant differences in intestinal fungal community of hooded cranes along the wintering periods. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:991998. [PMID: 36160219 PMCID: PMC9491237 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.991998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The intestinal microbiota play vital roles for health of wild birds in many ways. Migratory birds with unique life history might increase the risk of pathogenic transmission across the regions. However, few studies have clarified the fungal community structure and inferred the potential pathogens in guts of migratory birds. The high-throughput sequencing method was applied to analyze the fungal community structure and detect the potential fungal pathogens in guts of hooded cranes among different wintering stages. Significant differences were found in gut fungal community composition of hooded cranes among three wintering stages, with the lowest fungal diversity in the late wintering stage. In the late stage, hooded cranes harbored higher relative abundance of plant saprotroph, contributing to food digestion for hosts. Hooded cranes were associated with the lowest diversity and relative abundance of animal pathogens in the late wintering stage. There was an increasing trend of deterministic process for gut fungal community assembly, suggesting that hosts interaction with their fungal communities changed by enhanced gut selection/filtering along wintering periods. Hooded crane was associated with the strongest gut selection/filtering to obtain defined gut fungal community with retaining probiotics (i.e., plant saprotroph) and exclusion of certain pathogens in the late wintering stage. Overall, these results demonstrated that hooded cranes might regulate their gut microbiota to enhance digestion and decrease gut pathogens in preparation for long-term migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuannuo Wu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, China
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei, China
| | - Zihan Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, China
| | - Jingru Zhao
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, Hefei, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, China
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Zhong Chen,
| | - Xingjia Xiang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, China
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral Ecology, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, Hefei, China
- Xingjia Xiang,
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Zhang Y, Zhou L, Cheng L, Song Y. Water level management plan based on the ecological demands of wintering waterbirds at Shengjin Lake. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Hou J, Li L, Wang Y, Wang W, Zhan H, Dai N, Lu P. Influences of submerged plant collapse on diet composition, breadth, and overlap among four crane species at Poyang Lake, China. Front Zool 2021; 18:24. [PMID: 34001190 PMCID: PMC8130136 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00411-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interannual variation in resource abundance has become more unpredictable, and food shortages have increasingly occurred in the recent decades. However, compared to seasonal fluctuations in resource abundance, the influences of interannual variation in resource abundance on the dietary niches of consumers remain poorly understood. Poyang Lake, China, is a very important wintering ground for the globally endangered Siberian Crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus), White-naped Crane (Grus vipio), and Hooded Crane (G. monacha), as well as the non-endangered Eurasian Crane (G. grus). Tubers of Vallisneria spp., the dominant submerged macrophytes at Poyang Lake, is an important food for cranes. Nevertheless, submerged macrophytes have experienced serious degradation recently. In this study, we used metabarcoding technology to explore the consequences of Vallisneria tuber collapse on the diet compositions, breadths, and overlaps of the four crane species based on fecal samples collected in winter 2017 (a year with tuber collapse) and winter 2018 (a year with high tuber abundance). Results Compared to previous studies, our study elucidates crane diets in an unprecedented level of detail. Vallisneria tubers was confirmed as an important food source of cranes. Surprisingly, the grassland plant Polygonum criopolitanum was also found to be an important food source in the feces of cranes. Agricultural fields were important foraging sites for Siberian Cranes, White-naped Cranes, and Hooded Cranes, providing foods that allowed them to survive in winters with natural food shortages. However, the three crane species preferred natural wetlands to agricultural fields when the abundance of natural foods was high. The abundance of Vallisneria tubers, and probably P. criopolitanum, greatly influenced the dietary compositions, breadths and overlap of cranes. During periods of preferred resource shortage, White-naped Cranes and Hooded Cranes widened their dietary niches, while Siberian Cranes maintained a stable niche width. The dietary niche overlap among crane species increased substantially under conditions of plentiful preferred food resources. Conclusions Our study emphasizes the superior quality of natural wetlands compared to agricultural fields as foraging habitats for cranes. To provide safer and better foraging areas for cranes, it is urgent to restore the submerged plants at Poyang Lake. While high dietary niche overlap is often interpreted as intense interspecific competition, our study highlights the importance of taking food abundance into account. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-021-00411-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Hou
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Watershed Ecosystem Change and Biodiversity, Center for Watershed Ecology, Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Lei Li
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Watershed Ecosystem Change and Biodiversity, Center for Watershed Ecology, Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,Jiangxi Poyang Lake Wetland Conservation and Restoration National Permanent Scientific Research Base, National Ecosystem Research Station of Jiangxi Poyang Lake Wetland, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yafang Wang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Watershed Ecosystem Change and Biodiversity, Center for Watershed Ecology, Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Watershed Ecosystem Change and Biodiversity, Center for Watershed Ecology, Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China. .,Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China. .,Jiangxi Poyang Lake Wetland Conservation and Restoration National Permanent Scientific Research Base, National Ecosystem Research Station of Jiangxi Poyang Lake Wetland, Nanchang, 330031, China.
| | - Huiying Zhan
- Jiangxi Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve Authority, Nanchang, 330038, China
| | - Nianhua Dai
- The Institute of Biology and Resources, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang, 330096, China
| | - Ping Lu
- The Institute of Biology and Resources, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang, 330096, China
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Intestinal Microbes of Hooded Cranes ( Grus monacha) Wintering in Three Lakes of the Middle and Lower Yangtze River Floodplain. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051390. [PMID: 34068189 PMCID: PMC8153004 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Intestinal microbes are critical to host health, and are affected by environmental factors. In this study, we investigated the intestinal microbes of Hooded Cranes wintering at three lakes with different environmental characteristics in the middle and lower Yangtze River floodplain in China, aiming to provide insights into the effects of habitat size and protection status of birds on their intestinal microbes. We found that the Hooded Cranes at the smaller lake had higher intestinal bacterial and fungal diversity than those at the larger lake. In addition, more diverse and abundant pathogens were found in the gut of Hooded Cranes that lived in the relatively poorly protected habitat than those that lived in well-protected habitat. This study contributes a new perspective for understanding the intestinal microbes of wintering migratory waterbirds at different habitats, and will help to understand the survival status of the vulnerable waterbirds at different habitats for their better conservation. Abstract Intestinal microbes participate in life activities of the host, and are affected by external environmental factors. Different habitat sizes and protection status provide different external environmental selection pressures for the same wintering waterbirds, which may be reflected in their intestinal microbes. Hooded Cranes are vulnerable migratory waterbirds with similar numbers wintering at three different lakes in the middle and lower Yangtze River floodplain, Poyang, Caizi, and Shengjin Lakes. Here, we analyzed the characteristics of intestinal bacterial and fungal communities of Hooded Cranes wintering at the three lakes to clarify the effect of habitat size and protection status on intestinal microbes, using high-throughput sequencing technology. Our results showed that community composition and diversity of intestinal microbes were significantly different among lakes with different habitat size and protection status. The Hooded Cranes at Shengjin Lake (small) had higher intestinal microbial alpha-diversity (for both bacteria and fungi) than those at Poyang Lake (large), which might be induced by social behavior of more waterbirds per unit area. The Hooded Cranes at Caizi Lake (relatively poorly protected habitat) had more diverse and abundant intestinal potential pathogens than Shengjin Lake (well-protected habitat). Our results indicated that the environmental pressure of a habitat might affect intestinal microorganisms and more attention might be needed for the vulnerable waterbirds at the habitat of poor protection status.
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Zhang N, Zhou L, Yang Z, Gu J. Effects of Food Changes on Intestinal Bacterial Diversity of Wintering Hooded Cranes ( Grus monacha). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020433. [PMID: 33562375 PMCID: PMC7915383 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The intestinal microbiota plays a vital role in the health of animals, and food is an important factor that influences the intestinal microbial community. During the winter months, waterbirds require certain foods to supply them with energy through the cold winter. Due to changes in the plant resources available to waterbirds, their intestinal bacteria will vary accordingly. In this study, we analysed the relationship between food composition and intestinal bacteria in hooded cranes (Grus monacha). We found that food resources from similar habitats were more similar, and the corresponding hooded crane intestinal bacteria were also more similar. The results show that the intestinal bacteria of hooded cranes had a certain adaptability to the type of food being consumed. This study contributes novel insights into the diet of hooded cranes in the winter months, allowing for improved protection and management strategies. Abstract As food is recognised as an important factor affecting the intestinal microbiota, seasonal changes in diet can influence the community composition. The hooded crane (Grus monacha) is an endangered migratory waterbird species, with some of the population wintering in the sallow lakes in the middle and lower Yangtze River floodplain. Their food resources have changed seasonally, with a reduction resulting from wetland degradation. To cope with seasonal changes in food availability, hooded cranes must constantly adjust their foraging strategies to survive. We studied the effect of changes in diet on the intestinal bacterial diversity of hooded cranes at Shengjin Lake, using faecal microanalysis and high-throughput sequencing. The results show that the main foods of hooded cranes were Polygonum criopolitanum, Oryza sativa, and Carex spp., which were significantly related to the composition of the intestinal bacterial community. In addition, foods available from the similar habitats were more similar, and the corresponding hooded crane intestinal bacteria were also more similar. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus acidipiscis in January and March was significantly higher than in November. Our research shows that the intestinal bacteria of hooded cranes actively adapt to diet changes to overcome the negative impact of the reduction in food resources, which is vital to the survival of hooded cranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazhong Zhang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Lizhi Zhou
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Zhuqing Yang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jingjing Gu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
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Okoye OK, Li H, Gong Z. Retraction of invasive Spartina alterniflora and its effect on the habitat loss of endangered migratory bird species and their decline in YNNR using remote sensing technology. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:13810-13824. [PMID: 33391682 PMCID: PMC7771125 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Wetland environment and habitat loss increase the rate of biodiversity decline and affect our ecosystems. Yancheng National Nature Reserve (YNNR) is a protected area dedicated to endangered migratory bird species to overwinter. However, it currently has a record low influx of migrating birds and might therefore be losing its founding purpose. We used remote sensing technology to assess and quantify the impacts and effects of invasive halophytes Spartina alterniflora in the habitat loss and shrinkage of endangered bird wintering habitat from 2003 to 2018. We also attempted to ascertain the causes and triggers of avian population decline and its relationship with habitat loss, as these phenomena threaten and endanger species both locally and globally. Our study shows how YNNR has lost about 80% of migratory bird habitat to invasive S. alterniflora and Phragmites australis, a native halophyte plant in the reserve. Furthermore, shoreline erosion triggered the retraction of S. alterniflora and its backward growth toward Suaeda Salsa, the preferred foraging habitat for migratory birds in the zone, which is a possible cause of their decline.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huan Li
- College of Harbor, Coastal and Offshore EngineeringHohai UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zheng Gong
- College of Harbor, Coastal and Offshore EngineeringHohai UniversityNanjingChina
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