Wildlife Biology and Management Unit, Chair of Animal Nutrition and Metabolism, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
HoLMiR - Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research, University of Hohenheim, Leonore-Blosser-Reisen-Weg 3, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
Microb Ecol. 2023 Nov;86(4):3082-3096. doi: 10.1007/s00248-023-02308-5. Epub 2023 Oct 24.
Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are found in various habitats, from pure forest cultures to agricultural areas and mountains. In adapting to the geographically and seasonally differentiating food supply, they depend, above all, on an adapted microbiome. However, knowledge about the microbiome of wild ruminants still needs to be improved. There are only a few publications for individual species with a low number of samples. This study aims to identify a core microbiota for Bavarian roe deer and present nutrient and microbiota portraits of the individual habitat types. This study investigated the roe deer's rumen (reticulorumen) content from seven different characteristic Bavarian habitat types. The focus was on the composition of nutrients, fermentation products, and the rumen bacterial community. A total of 311 roe deer samples were analysed, with the most even possible distribution per habitat, season, age class, and gender. Significant differences in nutrient concentrations and microbial composition were identified for the factors habitat, season, and age class. The highest crude protein content (plant protein and microbial) in the rumen was determined in the purely agricultural habitat (AG), the highest value of non-fibre carbohydrates in the alpine mountain forest, and the highest fibre content (neutral detergent fibre, NDF) in the pine forest habitat. Maximum values for fibre content go up to 70% NDF. The proportion of metabolites (ammonia, lactate, total volatile fatty acids) was highest in the Agriculture-Beech-Forest habitat (ABF). Correlations can be identified between adaptations in the microbiota and specific nutrient concentrations, as well as in strong fluctuations in ingested forage. In addition, a core bacterial community comprising five genera could be identified across all habitats, up to 44% of total relative abundance. As with all wild ruminants, many microbial genera remain largely unclassified at various taxonomic levels. This study provides a more in-depth insight into the diversity and complexity of the roe deer rumen microbiota. It highlights the key microorganisms responsible for converting naturally available nutrients of different botanical origins.
马鹿（Capreolus capreolus）栖息于多种生境，从纯森林生境到农业区和山区。为了适应地理和季节性差异的食物供应，它们主要依赖于适应的微生物组。然而，野生反刍动物的微生物组知识仍有待提高。只有少数几个物种的出版物，且样本数量较少。本研究旨在确定巴伐利亚马鹿的核心微生物组，并呈现出个体栖息地类型的营养和微生物组特征。本研究调查了来自七个不同典型巴伐利亚栖息地类型的马鹿瘤胃（网胃）内容物。重点是营养物质、发酵产物和瘤胃细菌群落的组成。总共分析了 311 个马鹿样本，每个栖息地、季节、年龄组和性别都尽可能均匀地分布。栖息地、季节和年龄组这三个因素的营养浓度和微生物组成存在显著差异。瘤胃中粗蛋白含量（植物蛋白和微生物）最高的是纯农业生境（AG），高山森林中的非纤维碳水化合物含量最高，松树林生境中的纤维含量（中性洗涤纤维，NDF）最高。纤维含量最高值可达 70% NDF。农业-山毛榉-森林生境（ABF）中代谢物（氨、乳酸、总挥发性脂肪酸）的比例最高。微生物组和特定营养浓度的适应以及摄入饲料的强烈波动之间可以识别出相关性。此外，在所有栖息地中都可以识别出一个由五个属组成的核心细菌群落，占总相对丰度的 44%。与所有野生反刍动物一样，许多微生物属在不同的分类水平上仍然很大程度上未被分类。本研究更深入地了解了马鹿瘤胃微生物组的多样性和复杂性。它强调了负责转化不同植物来源的天然可用营养物质的关键微生物。
