Comparative Analysis of How the Fecal Microbiota of Green-Winged Saltator (Saltator similis) Diverge among Animals Living in Captivity and in Wild Habitats.

Simple Summary: Saltator similis is a species of songbird that is a victim of illegal trafficking, native to Brazilian forests, and kept in captivity. Nine fecal samples were collected from free-living birds, and nine birds in captivity were sampled. Total bacterial DNA was obtained from the feces and sequenced. The most predominant phyla were analyzed and compared. The bacterial genera "Candidatus Arthromitus", Acinetobacter, Kocuria, and Paracoccus were identified exclusively in animals living in captivity, which may be potential biomarkers associated with birds in captive environments and under a restricted diet and stressful lifestyle. This study presents the first description of the fecal bacterial community composition of S. similis living in two different lifestyles. Finally, our results suggest that the lifestyle of S. similis birds significantly impacts the composition of their fecal microbiota. The results can bring about new discussions about the management and health of captive birds. The microbiota's alteration is an adaptive mechanism observed in wild animals facing high selection pressure, especially in captive environments. The objective of this study is to compare and predict the potential impact of habitat on the fecal bacterial community of Saltator similis, a songbird species that is a victim of illegal trafficking, living in two distinct habitats: wild and captivity. Nine wild and nine captive S. similis were sampled, and total bacterial DNA was obtained from the feces. Each DNA sample was employed to the amplification of the V4 region of the 16S rDNA following high-throughput sequencing. The most predominant phyla in all songbirds, irrespective of habitat, were Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteriota. Interestingly, a microbiota profile (phylogenetic and abundance relationship) related to habitat was identified. The genera "Candidatus Arthromitus", Acinetobacter, Kocuria, and Paracoccus were exclusively identified in animals living in captivity, which can be a potential biomarker associated with birds in captive environments. This study presents the first description of the fecal bacterial community composition of S. similis living two different lifestyles. Finally, our results suggest that the lifestyle of S. similis birds significantly impacts the composition of the fecal microbiota. The animals living in captivity showed dysbiosis in the microbiota, with some bacteria genera being indicated as biological markers of environmental behavior. Thus, the present research provides a new concept of life quality measure for songbirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]