Seasonal dynamics of diet-gut microbiota interaction in adaptation of yaks to life at high altitude

Dietary selection and intake affect the survival and health of mammals under extreme environmental conditions. It has been suggested that dietary composition is a key driver of gut microbiota variation; however, how gut microbiota respond to seasonal dietary changes under extreme natural conditions remains poorly understood. Sequencing plant trnL (UAA) region and 16S rRNA gene analysis were employed to determine dietary composition and gut microbiota in freely grazing yaks on the Tibetan plateau. Dietary composition was more diverse in winter than in summer, while Gramineae and Rosaceae were consumed frequently all year. Turnover of seasonal diet and gut microbiota composition occurred consistently. Yaks shifted enterotypes in response to dietary change between warm and cold seasons to best utilize nitrogen and energy, in particular in the harsh cold season. Our findings provide insights into understanding seasonal changes of diet-microbiota linkages in the adaptation of mammals to high altitudes.

Automated summary

Dietary composition for yaks on the Tibetan plateau was more diverse in winter than in summer, with Gramineae and Rosaceae consumed frequently year-round. Seasonal dietary changes led to consistent turnover in gut microbiota composition, with yaks shifting enterotypes between warm and cold seasons to optimize nitrogen and energy utilization in harsh conditions. This study sheds light on the seasonal diet-microbiota linkages in mammalian adaptation to high altitudes.