Gut microbiome and dietary composition of migratory waterbirds revealed by metagenomic and metabarcoding analyses

This project examines the gut microbiome and dietary composition of multiple migratory waterbird species collected across European wetlands. Cloacal swabs were used to characterize the gut-associated bacterial communities, while faecal samples were analysed to identify potential food sources through DNA metabarcoding. The study includes diverse shorebirds and waterfowl, such as the Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), and Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), representing different trophic guilds and migration strategies.High-throughput sequencing (Illumina paired-end) was applied to both sample types: shotgun metagenomics for microbiome profiling, and metabarcoding targeting dietary DNA (e.g. plants and invertebrates). These complementary datasets allow assessment of host-specific gut microbiota, feeding ecology, and the ecological roles of migratory birds in wetland food webs and connectivity.The generated data contribute to understanding the interactions between gut microbes, diet, and habitat use in migratory waterbirds, and how these factors shape ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling and dispersal of microorganisms and propagules.