Revealing the spatial heterogeneity of the gut microbiota of red-feather ducks and their interaction with environmental microorganisms.

ABSTRACT: Ducks are one of important economic waterfowl species, and their gastrointestinal microbiota play crucial roles in nutrient metabolism, immune regulation, and host health maintenance. In this study, we collect 436 gastrointestinal content samples from red-feather ducks, including samples from the glandular stomach, muscular stomach, duodenum, ileum and cecum, as well as 10 environmental samples (water and soil). We then employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to explore the gastrointestinal microbial communities of ducks and their interactions with environmental microbes from soil and water. The gastrointestinal microbial community of red ducks showed a spatial gradient distribution characteristic in a counterclockwise direction from the proximal glandular stomach to the distal cecum. Notably, k

SUBMITTER: Zhang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12540455 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature