Seasonal Dynamics of the Gut Microbiome and Functional Adaptations in Sika Deer (Cervus nippon kopschi)

Seasonal environmental variations significantly affect the health and survival of wild ruminants such as sika deer (C. n. kopschi). This study characterized the adaptation of gut microbial communities to these seasonal shifts, supporting the host's physiological needs. We employed high-throughput sequencing on sixty fecal samples collected throughout the four seasons to assess microbial diversity, composition, and potential functions. Our findings revealed significant seasonal fluctuations, with microbial diversity peaking in summer and reaching its nadir in winter. Taxonomic analysis showed that Firmicutes was the dominant phylum during spring (63.43%), summer (78.52%), and autumn (81.99%), whereas winter was dominated by Proteobacteria (50.60%), primarily due to the enrichment of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas. Although the community structure formed three distinct seasonal enterotypes with dramatic shifts in bacterial taxa, functional profiling based on genomic databases indicated that core biological pathways remained remarkably stable throughout the year. These results demonstrate that sika deer maintain internal functional homeostasis by reorganizing their gut microbial composition to address harsh environmental stressors. This research provides a critical scientific basis for understanding the adaptive resilience of wild animals, offering valuable insights into the conservation and management of wildlife populations in dynamic ecosystems.