biostudies-literatureZepeda Mendoza MLNovo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchLundbeckfonden61https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6182802biostudies-literatureUnknown60(1)<h4>Background</h4>Vultures have adapted the remarkable ability to feed on carcasses that may contain microorganisms that would be pathogenic to most other animals. The holobiont concept suggests that the genetic basis of such adaptation may not only lie within their genomes, but additionally in their associated microbes. To explore this, we generated shotgun DNA sequencing datasets of the facial skin and large intestine microbiomes of the black vulture (Coragyps atratus) and the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). We characterized the functional potential and taxonomic diversity of their microbiomes, the potential pathogenic challenges confronted by vultures, and the microbial taxa and genes that could play a protective role on the facial skin and in the gut.<h4>Results</h4>We found microbiaActa veterinaria ScandinavicaProtective role of the vulture facial skin and gut microbiomes aid adaptation to scavenging.PMC6182802R52-A5062PI Søren BrunakBrunak SSicheritz-Ponten TManzano Vargas KZepeda Mendoza MLGilbert MTPHansen LHRoggenbuck MfalseProtective role of the vulture facial skin and gut microbiomes aid adaptation to scavenging.<h4>Background</h4>Vultures have adapted the remarkable ability to feed on carcasses that may contain microorganisms that would be pathogenic to most other animals. The holobiont concept suggests that the genetic basis of such adaptation may not only lie within their genomes, but additionally in their associated microbes. To explore this, we generated shotgun DNA sequencing datasets of the facial skin and large intestine microbiomes of the black vulture (Coragyps atratus) and the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). We characterized the functional potential and taxonomic diversity of their microbiomes, the potential pathogenic challenges confronted by vultures, and the microbial taxa and genes that could play a protective role on the facial skin and in the gut.<h4>Results</h4>We found microbia2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Oct2026-07-14T13:37:28.396Z2019-03-27T00:03:10ZS-EPMC61828023030937510.1186/s13028-018-0415-3