Comparative Analysis of Gut Bacterial Diversity in Wild and Domestic Yaks on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Simple Summary Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota in wild grazing (WG) and domestic grazing (DG) yaks reveals distinct differences in bacterial diversity, with WG animals exhibiting a higher diversity than DG animals. Firmicutes dominate both groups, with a greater abundance in the WG type, indicating a stronger fiber-degrading capacity. WG yaks have a higher abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Rikenellaceae families, which are known for their role in fiber degradation, and genus-level differences show a greater presence of fiber-degrading microbes, such as Ruminococcus and Rikenella. In contrast, DG yaks have a higher abundance of Prevotellaceae, Alloprevotella, and Succinivibrio, associated with protein and carbohydrate degradation, reflecting their different dietary habits. These differences in gut microbiota composition suggest that feeding patterns are crucial in shaping the microbial community, influencing yak health and environmental adaptation. The findings presented herein have significant implications for livestock production, highlighting the importance of considering the impact of grazing practices on gut microbiota, and providing valuable insights for developing prebiotics and microbiological agents tailored to specific dietary needs. The gut microbiota is a diverse and complex population, and it has a key role in the host's health and adaptability to the environment. The present study investigated the fecal bacterial community of wild grazing (WG) and domestic grazing (DG) yaks on natural grazing pastures, analyzing the gut microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing to assess bacterial diversity. A total of 48 yak fecal samples were selected from two different grazing habitats. The DG group had more crude proteins and non-fiber carbohydrates. The WG group had more OM, insoluble dietary fiber such as NDF, ADF, ether extract, and TC. There were 165 and 142 unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the WG and DG groups, respectively. Shannon index analysis revealed a higher bacterial diversity in the WG group than in the DG group. At the phylum level, Firmicutes were the dominant bacterial taxa in both groups. The relative abundance of Firmicutes in the WG group was higher than in the DG group. At the family level, the WG group had a significantly higher abundance of Ruminococcaceae (p < 0.001) and Rikenellaceae (p < 0.001) than the DG group. The abundances of Alloprevotella and Succinivibrio were more pronounced in the DG group than in the WG group at the genus level. This study presents a novel understanding of the bacterial communities of ruminants and their potential applications for livestock production.