biostudies-literatureUnknown5(1)Vinzelj JAnaerobic gut fungi (AGF; <i>Neocallimastigomycota</i>) are crucial for the degradation of plant biomass in herbivores. While extensively studied in mammals, information regarding their occurrence, diversity, and community structure in nonmammalian hosts remains sparse. Here, we report on the AGF community in fecal samples of 13 domesticated ostriches. The ostrich (<i>Struthio camelus</i>) is an herbivorous, flightless, hindgut-fermenting member of the class <i>Aves</i> (birds). Illumina-based metabarcoding targeting the D2 region of the large ribosomal subunit (28S rRNA) revealed a uniform AGF community with low alpha diversity in the fecal samples. The community was mostly comprised of sequences potentially representing two novel species in the genus <i>Piromyces,</i> and a novel genus iISME communicationsycaf144https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12423396biostudies-literatureAnaerobic gut fungal community in ostriches (<i>Struthio camelus</i>).PMC12423396Nash KJones ALVinzelj JMeili CHYoung RTPratt CJWang YYoussef NHElshahed MSfalseAnaerobic gut fungal community in ostriches (<i>Struthio camelus</i>).Anaerobic gut fungi (AGF; <i>Neocallimastigomycota</i>) are crucial for the degradation of plant biomass in herbivores. While extensively studied in mammals, information regarding their occurrence, diversity, and community structure in nonmammalian hosts remains sparse. Here, we report on the AGF community in fecal samples of 13 domesticated ostriches. The ostrich (<i>Struthio camelus</i>) is an herbivorous, flightless, hindgut-fermenting member of the class <i>Aves</i> (birds). Illumina-based metabarcoding targeting the D2 region of the large ribosomal subunit (28S rRNA) revealed a uniform AGF community with low alpha diversity in the fecal samples. The community was mostly comprised of sequences potentially representing two novel species in the genus <i>Piromyces,</i> and a novel genus i2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jan2026-06-03T02:28:43.469Z2026-04-23T03:10:00.059ZS-EPMC124233964094984010.1093/ismeco/ycaf144