Comparison of the Intestinal Bacterial Communities between Captive and Semi-Free-Range Red-Crowned Cranes (<i>Grus japonensis</i>) before Reintroduction in Zhalong National Nature Reserve, China

Abstract

The wild populations of red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) in west China are gradually decreasing, necessitating the optimization of reintroduction measures. This study used 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology to compare the gut microbiota communities of cranes living in two modes (captive and semi-free-range) before their reintroduction in Zhalong National Nature Reserve, Heilongjiang Province, China. The results showed that Proteobacteria (74.39%) and Firmicutes (25.29%) were the dominant gut bacterial phyla inhabiting these cranes. Significant differences were found in the gut microbiota community composition between semi-free-range and captive cranes (p Psychrobacter, Sporosarcina, and Lactococcus were significantly enriched in captive cranes (p Pseudomonadaceae_Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Lysobacter, and Enterobacteriaceae_Pseudomonas were more abundant in semi-free-range cranes (p p (p < 0.05).

Keywords

• red-crowned crane
• gut microbiota
• high-throughput sequencing technology
• reintroduction
• Zhalong Nature Reserve