Association between diet and the gut microbiome of young captive red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis)

BackgroundExploring the association of diet and indoor and outdoor environments on the gut microbiome of red-crowned cranes. We investigated the microbiome profile of the 24 fecal samples collected from nine cranes from day 1 to 35. Differences in the gut microbiome composition were compared across diet and environments.ResultsA total of 2,883 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected, with 438 species-specific OTUs and 106 OTUs common to the gut microbiomes of four groups. The abundance of Dietzia and Clostridium XI increased significantly when the red-crowned cranes were initially fed live mealworms. Skermanella and Deinococcus increased after the red-crowned cranes were fed fruits and vegetables and placed outdoors. Thirty-three level II pathway categories were predicted. Our study revealed the mechanism by which the gut microbiota of red-crowned cranes responds to dietary and environmental changes, laying a foundation for future breeding, nutritional and physiological studies of this species.ConclusionsThe gut microbiome of red-crowned cranes could adapt to changes in diet and environment, but the proportion of live mealworms in captive red-crowned cranes can be appropriately reduced at the initial feeding stage, reducing the negative impact of high-protein and high-fat foods on the gut microbiome and growth and development.

Automated summary

This study explores the association of diet and indoor and outdoor environments with the gut microbiome of red-crowned cranes. The findings suggest that the gut microbiome of red-crowned cranes can adapt to changes in diet and environment. Therefore, reducing the proportion of live mealworms in the initial feeding stage is recommended to minimize the negative impact of high-protein and high-fat foods on the gut microbiome and growth and development of red-crowned cranes.