Correction: California condor microbiomes: Bacterial variety and functional properties in captive-bred individuals

Characterizing the gut microbiome of birds-of-paradise in the northwest lowland of Papua Island

Background

Birds-of-paradise, renowned for their stunning plumage and intricate mating rituals, have been extensively studied for their external characteristics. However, the microbial communities inhabiting their digestive tracts remain largely unexplored. The gut microbiome plays a vital role in host health and physiology, influencing digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Understanding the microbiome of birds-of-paradise, particularly in their unique tropical rainforest habitats, may offer valuable insights into their adaptation and overall health.

Aim

This study aims to characterize the gut microbiome of birds-of-paradise and to explore the relationship between microbiome and host.

Methods

Fecal samples were collected from Jayapura Regency, Indonesia, with non-invasive sampling methods. DNA was extracted using the DNeasy PowerSoil Pro Kit. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 platform to obtain DNA sequences. DNA sequences were analyzed using DIAMOND followed by MEGAN6 to provide insights into the relative abundance of bacterial taxa within the microbiome.

Results

Using Operational Taxonomy Unit analysis we identified 1,398,117 sequences from 5,048,280 initial sequences. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria were the dominant phyla, with other phyla present in smaller amounts. Burkholderiales, Hyphomicrobiales, Sphingobacteriales, and Enterobacterales were dominant orders, each with specific functional roles. Family and Genus-Level Abundance: Flavobacteriaceae, Comamonadaceae, and Sphingobacteriaceae were dominant families, while Flavobacterium, Delftia, and Pedobacter were dominant genera. Delftia sp., Pedobacter sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Achromobacter sp., Bacillus pumilus, Rhizobium sp., and Brevundimonas sp. were among the most abundant species.

Conclusion

The microbiome in the gut of birds-of-paradise is characterized by a diverse community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. The abundance of specific orders, families, and genera varies between samples, suggesting that differences in diet, habitat, or host genetics may influence microbiome composition. The findings reveal a diverse and complex microbial community that likely plays a crucial role in host health and physiology.

Advances in the Microbiology of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen of significant concern to susceptible patient populations. This pathogen can cause nosocomial and community-acquired respiratory and bloodstream infections and various other infections in humans. Sources include water, plant rhizospheres, animals, and foods. Studies of the genetic heterogeneity of S. maltophilia strains have identified several new genogroups and suggested adaptation of this pathogen to its habitats. The mechanisms used by S. maltophilia during pathogenesis continue to be uncovered and explored. S. maltophilia virulence factors include use of motility, biofilm formation, iron acquisition mechanisms, outer membrane components, protein secretion systems, extracellular enzymes, and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. S. maltophilia is intrinsically drug resistant to an array of different antibiotics and uses a broad arsenal to protect itself against antimicrobials. Surveillance studies have recorded increases in drug resistance for S. maltophilia, prompting new strategies to be developed against this opportunist. The interactions of this environmental bacterium with other microorganisms are being elucidated. S. maltophilia and its products have applications in biotechnology, including agriculture, biocontrol, and bioremediation.