scholarly journals Characterisation of the gut microbial community of rhesus macaques in high-altitude environments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhan Wu ◽  
Yongfang Yao ◽  
Mengmeng Dong ◽  
Tianrui Xia ◽  
Diyan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Gut Microbial Community

Abstract Background: The mammal intestinal microbiota is involved in various physiological processes and plays a key role in host environment adaption. However, for non-human primates (NHPs), little is known about their gut microbial community in high-altitude environments and even less about their adaption to such habitats. We characterised the gut microbial community of rhesus macaques from multiple high-altitude environments and compared it to those of low-altitude populations. Results: We collected faecal samples of rhesus macaques from four high-altitude populations (above 3,000 m) and three low-altitude populations (below 500 m). By calculating the alpha diversity index, we found that high-altitude populations exhibited a higher diversity. Statistical analysis of beta diversity indicated significant differences between high- and low-altitude populations. Significant differences were also detected at the phylum and family levels. At the phylum level, the high-altitude gut microbial community was dominated by Firmicutes (63.42%), while at low altitudes, it was dominated by Bacteroidetes (47.4%). At the family level, the high-altitude population was dominated by Ruminococcaceae (36.2%), while the low-altitude one was dominated by Prevotellaceae (39.6%). Some families, such as Christensenellaceae, were consistently higher abundant in all high-altitude populations. We analysed the overlap of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in high-altitude populations and determined their core OTUs (shared by all four high-altitude populations). However, when compared with the low-altitude core OTUs, only 65% were shared, suggesting a divergence in core OTUs. Function prediction indicated a significant difference in gene copy number of 35 level-2 pathways between high- and low-altitude populations; 29 of them were higher in high altitudes, especially in membrane transport and carbohydrate metabolism. Conclusions: The gut microbial community of high-altitude rhesus macaques was significantly distinct from that of low-altitude populations in terms of diversity, composition and function. High-altitude populations were dominated by Firmicutes and Ruminococcace, while in low-altitude populations, Bacteroidetes and Prevotellaceae were dominant. The difference in gut microbiota between these two populations may be caused by differences in host diet, environmental temperature and oxygen pressure. These gut microbial microorganisms may play a critical role in the adaptive evolution of rhesus macaques to high-altitude environments.

scholarly journals Characterisation of the gut microbial community of rhesus macaques in high-altitude environments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhan Wu ◽  
Yongfang Yao ◽  
Mengmeng Dong ◽  
Tianrui Xia ◽  
Diyan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Gut Microbial Community

Abstract Background: The mammal intestinal microbiota is involved in various physiological processes and plays a key role in host environment adaption. However, for non-human primates (NHPs), little is known about their gut microbial community in high-altitude environments and even less about their adaption to such habitats. We characterised the gut microbial community of rhesus macaques from multiple high-altitude environments and compared it to those of low-altitude populations. Results: We collected faecal samples of rhesus macaques from four high-altitude populations (above 3,000 m) and three low-altitude populations (below 500 m). By calculating the alpha diversity index, we found that high-altitude populations exhibited a higher diversity. Statistical analysis of beta diversity indicated significant differences between high- and low-altitude populations. Significant differences were also detected at the phylum and family levels. At the phylum level, the high-altitude gut microbial community was dominated by Firmicutes (63.42%), while at low altitudes, it was dominated by Bacteroidetes (47.4%). At the family level, the high-altitude population was dominated by Ruminococcaceae (36.2%), while the low-altitude one was dominated by Prevotellaceae (39.6%). Some families, such as Christensenellaceae and Rikenellaceae, were consistently higher abundant in all high-altitude populations. We analysed the overlap of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in high-altitude populations and determined their core OTUs (shared by all four high-altitude populations). However, when compared with the low-altitude core OTUs, only 65% were shared, suggesting a divergence in core OTUs. Function prediction indicated a significant difference in gene copy number of 35 level-2 pathways between high- and low-altitude populations; 29 of them were higher in high altitudes, especially in membrane transport and carbohydrate metabolism. Conclusions: The gut microbial community of high-altitude rhesus macaques was significantly distinct from that of low-altitude populations in terms of diversity, composition and function. High-altitude populations were dominated by Firmicutes and Ruminococcace, while in low-altitude populations, Bacteroidetes and Prevotellaceae were dominant. The difference in gut microbiota between these two populations may be caused by differences in host diet, environmental temperature and oxygen pressure. These differentiated gut microbial microorganisms may play a critical role in the adaptive evolution of rhesus macaques to high-altitude environments.

scholarly journals Characterization of gut microbial community of rhesus macaques under the high-altitude extreme environments

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhan Wu ◽  
Yongfang Yao ◽  
Mengmeng Dong ◽  
Tianrui Xia ◽  
Diyan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Gut Microbial Community

Abstract Background: The mammal intestinal microbita involved in various physiological processes in host and play a key role in host environment adaption. However, for non-human primate(NHP), little is known about their gut microbial community in high-altitude extreme environment and much less to their adaption to high-altitude environment. In this study, we want to characterize gut microbial community of rhesus macaques from multiple high-altitude environment and by comparing it to low-altitude control group to reveal the differences between altitudes. Results: we collected the fecal samples of rhesus macaques from four high-altitude populations (above 3000m) and one low-altitude population (below 100m). We first analyzed the overlap of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) between populations and found 27.8% of OTUs (core OTUs) were shared by all five population.The majority of these OTUs have a higher abundance, whereas the unique OTUs have a lower abundance. By calculating alpha diversity index, we found high-altitude populations exhibited higher diversity. Statistical analysis of beta diversity indicated there were significant difference between high and low altitude population. Significant difference in composition were detected at phylum and family. At phylum level, high-altitude gut microbial community were dominanted by Firmicutes(63.7%), but low-altitude were dominated by Bacteroidetes(52.2%). At family level, high-alititude population were dominanted by Ruminococcaceae(36.4%), but low-altitude were dominated by Prevotellaceae(43.9%). Additionally, the abundance of Christensenellaceae are significantly higher in all high-altitude populations(3.33%) than low-altitude population(0.77%), despite a low abundance in two altitudes. Finally, function prediction indicated there was a significant difference in gene copy number of 29 level-2 pathway between high and low altitude population; and 26 of them are higher in high-altitude, especially in membrane transport and carbohydrate metabolism. Conclusions: We found the gut microbial community of high-altitude rhesus macaques is significantly distinct from low-altitude population in diversity, composition and function. High-altitude populations were dominanted by Firmicutes and Ruminococcace, but low-altitude population by Bacteroidetes and Prevotellaceae. The difference in gut microbiota between two altitude macaque populations may be caused by different host diet, environmental temperature and oxygen pressure, and gut microbial microorganisms may play an critical role in adaptive evolution of rhesus macaques to high-altitude environment.

scholarly journals Characterisation of the gut microbial community of rhesus macaques in high-altitude environments

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhan Wu ◽  
Yongfang Yao ◽  
Mengmeng Dong ◽  
Tianrui Xia ◽  
Diyan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Gut Microbial Community

scholarly journals Down Feather Structure Varies Between Low- and High-Altitude Torrent Ducks (Merganetta Armata) in the Andes

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca G. Cheek ◽  
Luis Alza ◽  
Kevin G. McCracken
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
General Constraints ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
High Elevations ◽  
Two Populations

AbstractFeathers are one of the defining characteristics of birds and serve a critical role in thermal insulation and physical protection against the environment. Feather structure is known to vary among individuals, and it has been suggested that populations exposed to different environmental conditions may exhibit different patterns in feather structure. We examined both down and contour feathers from two populations of male Torrent Ducks (Merganetta armata) from Lima, Peru, including one high-altitude population from the Chancay-Huaral River at approximately 3500 meters (m) elevation and one low-altitude population from the Chillón River at approximately 1500 m. Down feather structure differed significantly between the two populations. Ducks from the high-altitude population had longer, denser down compared with low-altitude individuals. Contour feather structure varied greatly among individuals but showed no significant difference between populations. These results suggest that the innermost, insulative layer of plumage (the down), may have developed in response to lower ambient temperatures at high elevations. The lack of observable differences in the contour feathers may be due to the general constraints of the waterproofing capability of this outer plumage layer.ResumenEl plumaje es una característica que define a las aves y cumple roles críticos en el aislamiento térmico y protección física del ambiente. Se sabe que la estructura de las plumas varía ente individuos, y se ha sugerido que poblaciones expuestas a diferentes condiciones ambientales pueden exhibir diferentes patrones en la estructura de las plumas. En este estudio se examinaron tanto el plumón como las plumas de contorno de machos adultos del Pato de los Torrentes (Merganetta armata) de dos poblaciones, una en el río Chancay-Huaral a 3,500 msnm y otra en el río Chillón a 1,500 msnm, ubicadas en Lima, Perú. La estructura de los plumones difiere significativamente entre las dos poblaciones. Los patos de la población a grandes elevaciones tienen plumones largos, y densos comparados con los individuos de las partes bajas. La estructura de las plumas de contorno varía ampliamente entre individuos pero no muestra diferencias significativas entre poblaciones. Estos resultados sugieren que las diferencias entre las capas interiores de aislamiento del plumaje (plumón), haberse desarrollado como respuesta en ambientes de bajas temperaturas a grandes elevaciones. En cambio la falta de detectables diferencias en las plumas de contorno puede ser debido a la constante selección en la capacidad impermeable de la capa de plumas exteriores.

scholarly journals Tibetan wild asses (Equus Kiang) were superior to domestic donkeys (Equus Asinus) in terms of the composition and function of gut microbial community

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongjin Liu ◽  
Xinquan Zhao ◽  
Shixiao Xu ◽  
Liang Zhao ◽  
Linyong Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Function ◽  
Gut Microbial Community

Abstract Background: Tibetan wild asses are the only wild species of perissodactyls on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and appears on the International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN) 2012 Red List of threatened species. The gut microbiota has a great effect on the health and nutrition of the host, however, scant research is available on the characteristics of their intestinal microbiota. Therefor, understanding the gut microbita composition and function of TWAs can provide a theoretical for the situ conservation of wild animals in the future. Results: To characterize its composition and function, we analyzed the intestinal microbiota of wild asses and domestic donkeys by high-throughput sequencing of the 16s rDNA regions. No significant difference in alpha diversity was detected between these two groups. Beta diversity showed that the bacterial community structure of wild asses was acutely different from domestic donkeys. At the phylum level, the two dominant phyla of Bacteroidetes and Firmcutes in wild asses were significantly higher than that in domestic donkeys. At the genus level, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214 , Phascolarctobacterium , Coprostanoligenes_group , Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group and Akkermansia in wild asses were significantly higher than domestic donkeys. Moreover, statistical comparisons showed that 40 different metabolic pathways exhibited significant differences . Among them, 29 pathways had richer concentrations in wild asses than domestic donkeys, mainly amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and energy metabolism. Of note, network analysis showed that wild asses harbored a relatively more complex bacterial network than domestic donkeys, possibly reflecting the specific niche adaption of gut bacterial communities through species interactions. Conclusions: Wild asses were superior to that of domestic in gut microbial community composition and function. For wild animal conservation, wild asses are more suitable to survive in wild than to be domesticated or captive. Key words: Tibetan wild asses, domestic donkeys, 16S ribosomal RNA gene, gut microbiota

scholarly journals Tropical tropospheric ozone derived using Clear-Cloudy Pairs (CCP) of TOMS measurements

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Newchurch ◽  
D. Sun ◽  
J. H. Kim ◽  
X. Liu
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Tropospheric Ozone ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Retrieval Efficiency ◽  
Retrieval Errors ◽  
Low Altitude

Abstract. Using TOMS total-ozone measurements over high-altitude cloud locations and nearby paired clear locations, we describe the Clear-Cloudy Pairs (CCP) method for deriving tropical tropospheric ozone. The high-altitude clouds are identified by measured 380 nm reflectivities greater than 80% and Temperature Humidity InfraRed (THIR) measured cloud-top pressures less than 200 hPa. To account for locations without high-altitude clouds, we apply a zonal sine fitting to the stratospheric ozone derived from available cloudy points, resulting in a wave-one amplitude of about 4 DU. THIR data is unavailable after November 1984, so we extend the CCP method by using a reflectivity threshold of 90% to identify high-altitude clouds and remove the influence of high-reflectivity-but-low-altitude clouds with a lowpass frequency filter. We correct ozone retrieval errors associated with clouds, and ozone retrieval errors due to sun glint and aerosols. Comparing CCP results with Southern Hemisphere ADditional OZonesondes (SHADOZ) tropospheric ozone indicates that CCP tropospheric ozone and ozonesonde measurements are highly consistent. The most significant difference between CCP and ozonesonde tropospheric ozone can be explained by the low Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) retrieval efficiency of ozone in the lower troposphere.

The Affects of Genital Myiasis on the Diversity of Vaginal Flora in Female Bactrian Camels

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Likang Zhi ◽  
Dongdong Ai ◽  
Ming Yong ◽  
Huar Bao ◽  
Baoxiang Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diversity Index ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Illumina Miseq ◽  
Vaginal Flora ◽  
Bactrian Camel ◽  
Vaginal Tissue ◽  
Health States ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bactrian Camels

Abstract Background: One of the most important diseases that affect the reproductive organs of Bactrian camels is called Genital Myiasis. It can cause serious mechanical damage to the vaginal tissue of female Bactrian camels. The accumulation of bacteria in the vagina of female camels can affect their health and reproductive ability. The effect of this damage is commonly found in the vaginal flora and vaginal mucosal immune system. Therefore, this research is a study of the diversity of the vaginal flora and the differences between healthy Bactrian camels and those suffering from Genital Myiasis.Results: Vaginal microbiota samples were collected from two groups of female Bactrian camels of the same age. Illumina Miseq was used to sequence V3-V4 hypervariable genes of 16S rRNA in the samples, and the results showed that the vaginal microflora of the infected camel had a significantly greater OTU value. According to the Alpha diversity index and the level of vaginal pH, the diversity index of the infected camel flora were higher than that of the normal camel flora, and the pH were lower than that of the normal camel flora (P=0.006). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the abundance of dominant genera of Bactrian camel vaginal (P＞0.05), indicating that the structure of dominant flora of Bactrian camel vagina had a certain stability.Conclusions: Overall this comparison revealed the differences and similarities between vaginal flora Bactrian camels in various health states. In addition, this data provides a reference point for understanding the types of bacteria that cause genital myiasis that damages healthy development of Bactrian camels.

scholarly journals Tropical tropospheric ozone derived using Clear-Cloudy Pairs (CCP) of TOMS measurements

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 683-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Newchurch ◽  
D. Sun ◽  
J. H. Kim ◽  
X. Liu
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Tropospheric Ozone ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Retrieval Efficiency ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Retrieval Errors ◽  
Low Altitude

Abstract. Using TOMS total-ozone measurements over high-altitude cloud locations and nearby paired clear locations, we describe the Clear-Cloudy Pairs (CCP) method for deriving tropical tropospheric ozone. The high-altitude clouds are identified by measured 380 nm reflectivities greater than 80% and Temperature Humidity InfraRed (THIR) measured cloud-top pressures less than 200 hPa. To account for locations without high-altitude clouds, we apply a zonal sine fitting to the stratospheric ozone derived from available cloudy points, resulting in a wave-one amplitude of about 4 DU. THIR data is unavailable after November 1984, so we extend the CCP method by using a reflectivity threshold of 90% to identify high-altitude clouds and remove the influence of high-reflectivity-but-low-altitude clouds with a lowpass frequency filter. We correct ozone retrieval errors associated with clouds, and ozone retrieval errors due to sun glint and aerosols. Comparing CCP results with Southern Hemisphere ADditional OZonesondes (SHADOZ) tropospheric ozone indicates that CCP tropospheric ozone and ozonesonde measurements agree, on average, to within 3 ± 1 DU standard error of the mean. The most significant difference between CCP and ozonesonde tropospheric ozone can be explained by the low Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) version-7 retrieval efficiency of ozone in the lower troposphere.

scholarly journals Hematological parameters of high and low altitude Tibetan populations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nipa Basak ◽  
Tsering Norboo ◽  
Mohammed S. Mustak ◽  
Kumarasamy Thangaraj
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
P Value ◽  
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin ◽  
Tibetan Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Altitude Acclimatization ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
The Difference

AbstractHigh altitude hypoxia is believed to be experienced at elevations more than 2500 meters. A few studies have shed light on the biochemical aspects of high altitude acclimatization that profoundly included the subjects sojourning to the high altitude from low altitude and observation of the transient changes. However, information regarding the difference between the adapted people in high altitude and their counterpart, who reside in the low altitude are lacking. To address that issue, we have measured various hematological parameters and level of serum erythropoietin (EPO) in Tibetan population, who are residing in both high and low altitudes. We observed significant difference (p value < 0.0001) between high and low altitude Tibetan, in various hematological parameters, including red blood cells (RBC) count, hematocrit (HCT) or packed cell volume (PCV), and hemoglobin concentration (Hb). In case of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), significant difference was observed only in females (p value < 0.0001). Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was significantly different between both males and females, but age was a potential confounder. There was no significant difference in serum EPO level between these two groups, either in males or females, which might be due to blunted erythropoietin response in the Tibetan population. We have also analyzed correlation between serum EPO with Hb and serum EPO with HCT and found no significant correlation. In multiple regression analysis, low altitude and male-gender showed significant impact on both Hb and HCT. In conclusion, our study suggests significant perturbation of hematological parameters, when native high altitude populations migrated to low altitude and inhabited for a long period.

scholarly journals The Helgoland Experiment – assessing the influence of methodologies on Recent benthic foraminiferal assemblage composition

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Schönfeld ◽  
Elena Golikova ◽  
Sergei Korsun ◽  
Silvia Spezzaferri
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Rose Bengal ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Mesh Size ◽  
Foraminiferal Assemblage ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Species Population ◽  
Benthic Foraminiferal Assemblage

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to compare preservation, staining and preparation techniques to assess the influence of different sample treatments and analyses on the accuracy of benthic foraminiferal assemblage data from NE Atlantic shelf seas. Replicate surface samples from the SE North Sea were preserved with ethanol–rose Bengal or formalin, some were stained after processing, or foraminifera were concentrated by flotation. Coloration of living specimens was different between samples treated with an ethanol–rose Bengal solution and those stained after washing. In the latter case, only the last two or three chambers were stained. The aliquot sample preserved with formalin showed dissolution features in agglutinated and porcellaneous species. Population density varied between different preservation, picking modes and investigators. The accuracy of picking was in the range of ±2 % (1σ), while external reproducibility ranged from −34 to +16 %. There was no significant difference between wet and dry picking. Samples that were concentrated by flotation generally yielded a lower number of specimens. Agglutinated species were under-represented in samples that were stained after washing and in the flotation concentrate. Size fractions showed a reduction of population density and Fisher alpha diversity index with increasing mesh size. Only half of the specimens and less than two-thirds of the species are captured if the >125 µm rather than >63 µm fraction is analysed. In oxygen minimum zones, where small-sized species dominate the assemblage, the recovery in larger size fractions could be lower.

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