Developmental dynamics and functional adaptation of gut microbiota in Mongolian wild asses (<i>Equus hemionus hemionus</i>) across ontogenetic stages in arid desert ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the composition and function of gut microbiota is essential for elucidating how wild animals adapt to arid environments. The Mongolian wild ass (Equus hemionus hemionus), which inhabits harsh desert ecosystems, offers an ideal model for such investigations. This study employed metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples to characterize the composition and structure of the gut microbiota in adult, subadult, and juvenile Mongolian wild asses, with functional annotation based on the KEGG, CARD, and CAZy databases. Our study revealed that Bacillota and Bacteroidota were the dominant phyla, together accounting for over 85% of relative abundance, with their ratio (B/B value) showing clear age-dependent shifts. Juveniles were dominated by Bacillota (high B/B value), consistent wi

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12486412 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature