Characterizing the gut microbiome of birds-of-paradise in the northwest lowland of Papua Island.

Abstract

Background: Birds-of-paradise, renowned for their stunning plumage and intricate mating rituals, have been extensively studied for their external characteristics. However, the microbial communities inhabiting their digestive tracts remain largely unexplored. The gut microbiome plays a vital role in host health and physiology, influencing digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Understanding the microbiome of birds-of-paradise, particularly in their unique tropical rainforest habitats, may offer valuable insights into their adaptation and overall health.

Aim: This study aims to characterize the gut microbiome of birds-of-paradise and to explore the relationship between microbiome and host.

Methods: Fecal samples were collected from Jayapura Regency, Indonesia, with non-invasive sampling methods. DNA was extracted using the DNeasy PowerSoil Pro Kit. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 platform to obtain DNA sequences. DNA sequences were analyzed using DIAMOND followed by MEGAN6 to provide insights into the relative abundance of bacterial taxa within the microbiome.

Results: Using Operational Taxonomy Unit analysis we identified 1,398,117 sequences from 5,048,280 initial sequences. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria were the dominant phyla, with other phyla present in smaller amounts. Burkholderiales, Hyphomicrobiales, Sphingobacteriales, and Enterobacterales were dominant orders, each with specific functional roles. Family and Genus-Level Abundance: Flavobacteriaceae, Comamonadaceae, and Sphingobacteriaceae were dominant families, while Flavobacterium, Delftia, and Pedobacter were dominant genera. Delftia sp., Pedobacter sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Achromobacter sp., Bacillus pumilus, Rhizobium sp., and Brevundimonas sp. were among the most abundant species.

Conclusion: The microbiome in the gut of birds-of-paradise is characterized by a diverse community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. The abundance of specific orders, families, and genera varies between samples, suggesting that differences in diet, habitat, or host genetics may influence microbiome composition. The findings reveal a diverse and complex microbial community that likely plays a crucial role in host health and physiology.