The microbiome of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) under managed care resembles that of wild marine mammals and birds.

ABSTRACT: Animals under managed care in zoos and aquariums are ideal surrogate study subjects for endangered species that are difficult to obtain in the wild. We compared the fecal and oral microbiomes of healthy, managed African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) to those of other domestic and wild vertebrate hosts to determine how host identity, diet, and environment shape the penguin microbiome. The African penguin oral microbiome was more similar to that of piscivorous marine mammals, suggesting that diet and a marine environment together play a strong role in shaping the oral microbiome. Conversely, the penguin cloaca/fecal microbiome was more similar to that of other birds, suggesting that host phylogeny plays a significant role in shaping the gut microbiome. Although the penguins were born under

SUBMITTER: Graciette AGC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10551019 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature