Study of taxonomic and functional profile the intestinal microbiome of the white partridge

Despite a significant amount of research on the digestive system of birds, grouse, which includes the, remain insufficiently studied in this context. One of the characteristic features of the digestive physiology of partridge (Lagopus lagopus) is the enlarged cecum compared to representatives of other families. The purpose of this study is to analyze the taxonomic and metabolic composition of the intestinal microbiota of the white partridge using modern molecular genetic methods, in particular NGS sequencing. The object of the study was the contents of the ileum and caecal appendages of the intestine of a white partridge, harvested in winter on the territory of the Malozemelskaya tundra of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The research results demonstrated a range of differences related to the taxonomic and functional diversity of the microbiota of the small and large intestine of the white partridge. At the same time, a significantly higher number of bacteria with cellulolytic properties (Clostridia vadinBB60, Oscillospiraceae, and Lachnospiraceae families) was observed in the blind processes of birds. This fact may be of interest in the context of the search for strains of microorganisms for the development of biological products with probiotic and enzymatic properties. Representatives of opportunistic microbiota (Streptococcaceae and Helicobacteraceae families) have also been detected in the intestines of the white partridge, which often causes diseases due to weakened immunity. In the cecum, compared with the ileum, there was a higher number of metabolic pathways associated with energy metabolism (FUC-RHAMCATPWY (p<0.005), FUCCAT-PWY (p<0.001), GLUCUROCAT-PWY (p<0.005)), antioxidant activity (NAD-BIOSYNTHESIS-II (p<0.005), PYRIDNUCSAL-PWY, PYRIDNUCSYN-PWY, PYRIDOXSYN-PWY (p<0.05)), biosynthesis of vitamins and cofactors. The results of the conducted studies indicate a significant metabolic potential of the intestinal microbiome of the white partridge, especially in its blind processes.

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