Precise Fecal Microbiome of the Herbivorous Tibetan Antelope Inhabiting High-Altitude Alpine Plateau

Researchers have identified a core fecal microbiome in the Tibetan antelope, a high-altitude herbivore, that includes potentially new bacterial species with implications for human health. Using advanced metataxonomic analysis—combining 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing via PacBio technology and operational phylogenetic unit (OPU) approach—the study analyzed 104 fecal samples from antelopes in Qinghai Hoh Xil, a depopulated zone on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau at over 4,500 meters altitude. The findings reveal that the antelope's core microbiome is dominated by uncultured bacteria, including unclassified Ruminococcaceae, Akkermansia, and Christensenellaceae, which are linked to human longevity or health benefits. Notably, 256 potentially new species were detected, along with sequences unrelated to known families, suggesting untapped bacterial diversity. These organisms may hold promise for promoting health or combating intestinal dysbiosis, warranting further isolation and evaluation.

Bai, X., Lu, S., Yang, J., Jin, D., Pu, J., Díaz Moyá, S., Xiong, Y., Rossello-Mora, R., & Xu, J. (2018). Precise Fecal Microbiome of the Herbivorous Tibetan Antelope Inhabiting High-Altitude Alpine Plateau. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02321