The Role of MHC-II Diversity over Enclosure Design in Gut Microbiota Structuring of Captive Bengal Slow Lorises
Rong Jiang,
Xiaojia Zhang,
Lei Xie,
Yan Zhang,
Changjun Zeng,
Yongfang Yao,
Huailiang Xu,
Caoyang Yang,
Xiao Wang,
Qingyong Ni,
Meng Xie,
Chuanren Li
Affiliations
Rong Jiang
Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 610000, China
Xiaojia Zhang
College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan 625000, China
Lei Xie
Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 610000, China
Yan Zhang
Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 610000, China
Changjun Zeng
Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 610000, China
Yongfang Yao
College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan 625000, China
Huailiang Xu
College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan 625000, China
Caoyang Yang
Sichuan Ganzi Ecological Environment Monitoring Center, Ganzi 626700, China
Xiao Wang
Sichuan Minzu College, Ganzi 626700, China
Qingyong Ni
Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 610000, China
Meng Xie
College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan 625000, China
Chuanren Li
Sichuan Ganzi Ecological Environment Monitoring Center, Ganzi 626700, China
The endangered Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) relies heavily on captive/rescue populations for conservation. This study investigated the critical link between Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II DRB1 exon 2 (DRB1e2) genetic variation and gut microbiota in 46 captive individuals, aiming to improve ex situ management. Using standardized conditions across three enclosure types, we characterized DRB1e2 polymorphism via targeted sequencing and analyzed fecal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Results demonstrated that high DRB1e2 polymorphism significantly reduced microbial community evenness. Specific genotypes showed distinct microbial associations: G9 strongly correlated with beneficial short-chain fatty acid producers like Fructobacillus, and G2 positively correlated with Bifidobacterium spp., while G2, G3, and G4 correlated negatively with Buchnera (a nutrient-provisioning symbiont). Genotypes and polymorphism collectively explained 9.77% of microbiota variation, exceeding the weaker (5.15%), though significant, influence of enclosure type on β-diversity. These findings reveal that host DRB1e2 variation is a primary driver shaping gut microbiota structure and taxon abundance in captive slow lorises, providing evidence for MHC-mediated host–microbe co-adaptation. This offers a genetically informed framework for optimizing conservation strategies, such as tailoring diets or probiotics to specific genotypes, to enhance gut health and population viability.
