Combined intestinal transcriptome and microbiome profiling highlights microbiota involved in growth and immunity of Reeves' turtle (Mauremys reevesii)

A total of 18 Reeves' turtles (Mauremys reevesii) were provided by a farm located in Dao County, Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, China, with inferior (IGP group) or superior growth performance (SGP group). Following euthanasia, turtles were rapidly dissected and the intestine and intestinal contents were resected. The intestines or intestinal contents of turtles (n=3) were mixed as an independent sample to minimize errors. Aquaculture water samples were obtained from the pond where these turtles were raised. Similarly, water samples from different sites (n=3) in this pond were mixed as an independent sample to minimize errors.Total RNA was extracted from intestine samples and subjected to cDNA library construction. RNA sequencing were executed using the NovaSeq 6000 platform.Total DNA was extracted from intestinal contents and aquaculture water samples and subjected to amplification of the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA genes. PCR products were equimolar mixed and sequenced on NovaSeq 6000 platform.