Red pandas with different diets and environments exhibit different gut microbial functional composition and capacity

Area of Science:

• * Zoology and Microbiology: Investigating the gut microbiome of mammals.
• * Animal Health: Understanding factors influencing gastrointestinal well-being.

Background:

• * Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) are bamboo-dependent mammals.
• * Diet and environment significantly impact animal gut microbiota and health.
• * Variations in red panda gut microbial communities are linked to their specific conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To explore taxonomical and functional gut microbial variations in red pandas.
• * To analyze the impact of different diets and environments on red panda gut microbiota.
• * To identify potential etiological agents of disease in mucus samples.

Main Methods:

• * Fecal samples from red pandas in captive and semi-free settings were analyzed.
• * Metabolomic, 16S rRNA, and metagenomic sequencing were employed.
• * Pandas were categorized into four cohorts based on diet and environment.

Main Results:

• * Bamboo shoot consumption correlated with increased pathogenic bacteria and gastrointestinal disease risk.
• * Bamboo leaf diet led to decreased gut microbial diversity due to antibacterial compounds and lower protein.
• * Semi-free environments promoted richer gut microbial diversity in red pandas.
• * Mucus secretion was linked to diarrhea-associated species and reduced tryptophan metabolites.

Conclusions:

• * Diet and environment play crucial roles in modulating red panda gut microbiota.
• * Findings suggest strategies for improving captive breeding and red panda health.
• * Microbiota-derived metabolites like tryptophan influence intestinal balance.