Diel modifications in the oral and anal microflora of the Pygoscelis papua Penguins

ABSTRACT The mouths and anuses of Penguins house complex microflora, which play important roles in growth and development. In this study, 6,391,065 sequences were detected from the oral and anal microflora of gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) penguins, with Firmicutes and Proteobacteria dominating the oral and anus samples from female gentoo penguins, respectively, while in males, Proteobacteria dominated the oral samples and Firmicutes dominated the anus samples. In addition, we provide the first demonstration that the dominant oral and anal microflora of P. papua (notably Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteriodetes) exhibit a diel rhythm. Given that the status of penguin populations remains an issue of environmental and conservation concern, our work provides important insight into the health of this penguin species by focusing on the diversity, diel rhythms, and dynamics of dominant intestinal microflora, further offering useful reference materials for future studies on the diel interactions between microflora and the penguin host.