Functional characterisation of the gut bacterial microbiome and fungal mycobiome of the critically endangered Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) at two zoos

The plains-wanderer is a critically endangered bird species which is the subject of a current conservation breeding program at multiple Australian zoos. We compared the microbiota of two zoo populations of 48 plains-wanderers fed the same diet. We report no significant difference in alpha diversity metrics of bacterial and fungal taxa, however at the beta diversity level, significant disparities were detected. Functional prediction of bacterial microbes was used to determine whether metabolic pathways differed between the two groups, despite the same dietary management. These results demonstrate the influence the external environment has on the gut microbiome of threatened species, which, may assist with identifying environmental variables which contribute to husbandry decisions in zoo-managed individuals, to ensure a high standard in management of the species long-term.