Oral and fecal microbiome of confiscated Bengal slow lorises in response to confinement duration

Abstract

Slow lorises are small arboreal and nocturnal primates. Due to the illegal trade, a large number of slow lorises were confiscated into wildlife sanctuaries or rescue centers. The re-release has been considered a preferable approach for alleviating the captive pressure, but inappropriate and long-term confinement make it difficult to achieve this goal. In this study, we investigated and compared the fecal and oral microbiome of Bengal slow lorises (Nycticebus bengalensis) under long-term captivity (LC) and short-term captivity (SC) groups based on 16s rRNA high-throughput gene sequencing. The oral microbiome displayed higher Chao1 richness but lower Shannon and Simpson indices than the fecal microbiome. The Bengal slow lorises under long-term captivity had abundant pathogenic genera in both gut and oral microbiomes, such as Desulfovibrio, Actinomyces, Capnocytophaga, Neisseria, and Fusobacterium, while some specific bacterial taxa associated with intestinal balance were more enriched in the SC group. Due to the plant gum scarcity in the diet, both groups had a low abundance of Bifidobacterium. Function profile prediction indicated that the LC group was enriched with genetic information processing and metabolism pathways due to the stable food intake. The increased membrane transport and xenobiotic metabolism and degradation functions in the SC group could be explained by the function of the host microbiome in facilitating adaptation to changing environments and diets. The results demonstrated that the oral microbiome had the potential to be used as a regular surveillance tool. Also, current captive management should be improved to ensure reintroduction success.

Evaluation of the main disorders and microbiota of the oral cavity of capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) under human care

“…Another relevant factor related with oral health is microbiota, considered as a natural barrier that protects the oral mucosa and root canals against exogenous pathogens, and crucial for evaluating host health and disease. 28 However, local changes in the ecological balance can result in opportunistic infections. The oral microbiota contributes directly and indirectly to comorbidities, including severe systemic complications of periodontal disease resulting from bacteremia and the formation of different infectious foci.…”

“…Another relevant factor related with oral health is microbiota, considered as a natural barrier that protects the oral mucosa and root canals against exogenous pathogens, and crucial for evaluating host health and disease 28 . However, local changes in the ecological balance can result in opportunistic infections.…”