Insights into the fecal microbiota of captive Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Autors/ores

  • José Alberto Núñez-Díaz Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech, Departmento de Microbiología, Campus de Teatinos, Málaga, Spain.
  • M. Carmen Balebona Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech, Departmento de Microbiología, Campus de Teatinos, Málaga, Spain.
  • Eva M. Alcaide Division of Sustainability and Urban Environment Analysis and Diagnostic Center of Wildlife-C.A.D. Environment Agency and Water Andalusia, Málaga, Spain
  • Irene Zorrilla Division of Sustainability and Urban Environment Analysis and Diagnostic Center of Wildlife-C.A.D. Environment Agency and Water Andalusia, Málaga, Spain
  • Miguel Ángel Moriñigo Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech, Departmento de Microbiología, Campus de Teatinos, Málaga, Spain.

Paraules clau:

Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), fecal microbiota, biodiversity

Resum

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is an endangered species restricted to several areas of Spain and Portugal. Its low genetic diversity likely provokes immune depression and high susceptibility to infectious diseases. The intestinal microbiota is closely related to host health and nutrition. In order to contribute to the knowledge of the Iberian lynx intestinal microbiota, fecal microbiota of captive specimens from two breeding centers (“La Olivilla” and “El Acebuche”), located in Southern Spain, were studied by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE). Results grouped microbiota in two main clusters (I and III) which included DGGE patterns of 19 out of 36 specimens, cluster I being the most frequent in “La Olivilla” (50%) and cluster III in “El Acebuche” (55.55 %) specimens. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla were identified. Segregation of clusters I and III was attributed to different microorganism presence (Pseudomonas koreensis, Pseudomonas migulae, Carnobacterium sp., Arthrobacter, Robinsoniella peorensis and Ornithinibacillus sp.) and ability to use different carbon sources. Biolog EcoPlates® results indicate high functional diversity of fecal microbiota, it being higher in cluster III. The great impact of intestinal microbiota on host health supports the importance of its microbial composition understanding. This study is the first report of captive Iberian lynx fecal microbiota composition. [Int Microbiol 20(1): 31-41 (2017)]

Keywords: Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) · fecal microbiota · biodiversity

Biografia de l'autor/a

Irene Zorrilla, Division of Sustainability and Urban Environment Analysis and Diagnostic Center of Wildlife-C.A.D. Environment Agency and Water Andalusia, Málaga, Spain



Descàrregues

Número

Vol. 20 Núm. 1 (2017)

Secció

Articles

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