Comparison of Gut Microbiota of Yaks from Different Geographic Origins

Gut microbiota are closely linked to host health and adaptability to different geographical environments. However, information on how yak microbial communities are influenced by different geographical conditions is limited. In this study, 18 yak fecal samples were collected in three regions of China and analyzed via high-throughput sequencing. These regions included Shangri-la, Lhasa, and Yushu. The alpha-diversity of the Shangri-la samples as measured by the Shannon, ACE, and Chao indexes was significantly higher than in the Yushu samples. Principal coordinates analysis detected significant differences in yak intestinal microbiota based on region. A total of 6 phyla, 21 families, and 29 genera were identified in the fecal samples. The most dominant phyla in the samples were Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Ruminococcaceae was the most abundant family. In addition, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 was the predominant genus, and was more abundant in Yushu. However, the predicted functional gene composition of yak gut microbiota from different regions was similar. Our results uncovered that geography influenced the diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiota of yaks.