Gut microbiota in wild and captive Guizhou snub‐nosed monkeys, Rhinopithecus brelichi. Issue 10 (20th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hale, Vanessa L.; Tan, Chia L.; Niu, Kefeng; Yang, Yeqin; Zhang, Qikun; Knight, Rob; Amato, Katherine R.
• Other Names: Amato Katherine R. guestEditor.; Stumpf Rebecca M. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: American journal of primatology. Volume 81:Issue 10/11(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-05-20
• Subjects: captivity -- Guizhou snub‐nosed monkey -- gut microbiota -- Rhinopithecus brelichi; Primates -- Periodicals; Primates -- Périodiques; 599.8
• DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22989
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-2565

Abstract

Abstract : Many colobine species—including the endangered Guizhou snub‐nosed monkey ( Rhinopithecus brelichi ) are difficult to maintain in captivity and frequently exhibit gastrointestinal (GI) problems. GI problems are commonly linked to alterations in the gut microbiota, which lead us to examine the gut microbial communities of wild and captive R. brelichi . We used high‐throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to compare the gut microbiota of wild ( N = 7) and captive ( N = 8) R. brelichi. Wild monkeys exhibited increased gut microbial diversity based on the Chao1 but not Shannon diversity metric and greater relative abundances of bacteria in the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families. Microbes in these families digest complex plant materials and produce butyrate, a short chain fatty acid critical to colonocyte health. Captive monkeys had greater relative abundances of Prevotella and Bacteroides species, which degrade simple sugars and carbohydrates, like those present in fruits and cornmeal, two staples of the captive R. brelichi diet. Captive monkeys also had a greater abundance of Akkermansia species, a microbe that can thrive in the face of host malnutrition. Taken together, these findings suggest that poor health in captive R. brelichi may be linked to diet and an altered gut microbiota. Abstract : Gut microbial communities of wild and captive R. brelichi differ, and these differences suggest that diet and microbial community alterations may be linked to the poor health of captive monkeys. Research Highlights: Wild R. brelichi microbiota is more diverse and abundant in plant degrading microbes. Starch, sugar, and mucin degrading microbes are increased in captive R. brelichi . Diet and altered microbiota may be key to the poor health of captive monkeys