Intestinal microbial diversity of wild Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in three regions of Yunnan Province

Studying the gut microbiota diversity of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) is crucial for understanding their environmental adaptability, health status, and conservation needs. In this study, high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was utilized to analyze and compare the microbial community composition and diversity of 50 wild Asian elephants from three regions in Yunnan Province. The results indicated significant differences in gut microbiota diversity among the regions, with the highest diversity observed in the Lincang region. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed that the microbial community structure of the Lincang population was markedly different from that of the other two regions. At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the dominant bacterial groups across all three regions. However, in the Lincang region, the abundance of Proteobacteria was the highest and significantly greater than in the other regions. Additionally, the levels of potential pathogenic bacteria, such as Acinetobacter and Stenotrophomonas, were significantly elevated in the Lincang population compared to the other two regions. Therefore, it is essential to enhance the protection and restoration of suitable habitats for wild Asian elephants. Furthermore, health monitoring of Asian elephants in the Lincang region should be intensified.