MICROBIAL ECOLOGY IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS: METAGENOMIC INSIGHTS INTO THE GUT MICROBIOME OF THE INDIAN WILD ASS (Equus hemionus khur)

Abstract

The Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur), also called the Ghudkhur or Khur, it is a subspecies of the onager native to Southern Asia. The Indian wild ass inhabits the highly saline desert ecosystem of the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK) and its surrounding area in Gujarat, India. The Little Rann of Kutch is characterized by its saline desert environment, which provides a suitable habitat for these animals. It is a very harsh condition to survive in such a polyextreme environment. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall host health and adaptation. Due to the unique adaptation of ass and limited data available on the gut microbiota of the Indian wild ass, this study presents a comprehensive metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiome of the Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur), offering novel insights into microbial adaptations in extreme environments. Using 16S rDNA sequencing and advanced bioinformatics, we characterized a diverse microbial community comprising 32 phyla, 58 classes, 130 orders, 253 families, 452 genera, and 627 species. Firmicutes (39.03%), Bacteroidetes (23.24%), and Proteobacteria (13.66%) emerged as the dominant phyla, with a notable presence of halophilic and halotolerant species reflecting adaptations to the saline desert habitat. Functional analysis indicated the Indian wild ass gut microbiome showed diverse metabolic capabilities. Notably, we identified significant potential for plant growth promotion and stress mitigation, suggesting complex host-microbe-environment interactions. The presence of autotrophic microbes (17.1%) and adaptations to various temperatures, highlight the community's resilience in harsh conditions. This study not only enhances our understanding of microbial ecology in extreme environments but also provides insights into host-microbe interactions in endangered species and also presents a valuable resource for biotechnological innovations in environmental management, sustainable agriculture, and industrial enzyme production. The findings open new avenues for research in microbial genetics, metabolism, and systems biology, with potential implications for conservation microbiology and the study of microbial adaptations to environmental stressors.