Comparative analysis of gut and skin microbiota in wild and captive Dinodon rufozonatum

Microorganisms are widely distributed in the digestive tract and play important roles in host immunity and metabolic homeostasis. Although the gut microbiota has been recognized as a research hotspot in conservation biology, comparative analyses between wild and captive snakes remain scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate differences and identify biomarkers between wild and captive Dinodon rufozonatum, using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Alpha diversity indices indicated significantly greater gut microbial diversity in wild snakes compared to captive snakes. Besides, the snake microbial taxonomic investigation suggested that the most abundant bacteria in the microbiota are the phylum Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria at the phylum level. Notably, Cetobacterium spp. Was identified as a core microbiota component in captive snakes, while it is rarely available in wild snakes. Furthermore, Cetobacterium strain was isolated and characterized from the intestinal tract of a snake. In summary, the present study for the first time elaborated the variations among the gut microbiota of wild and captive snakes and isolated a Cetobacterium strain from the intestinal tract of the snake. The study bridges the gap for a comprehensive knowledge of gut ecology of wild and captive snakes and provides the motivation for the protection of snakes against intestinal diseases.