Evolution and predicted functions of the microbiota of the medium-slow growing chicken during the first 4 weeks of chick development

13 páginas, 6 figuras, 2 tablasChicken gut microbiota–host interactions play essential roles in the productivity and health of chickens. Deciphering the microbial composition and its functions are crucial for understanding the roles of gut microbiota within chickens. Although there are some research studies focusing on different chicken microbiota, none of them have considered medium-slow growing chicken as a model host. Here, the microbial composition of the faeces of medium-slow growing chicken, grown in an organic farming system, has been elucidated through 16S rRNA gene amplicon-based metagenomics. We found a diverse microbiota that does not present major shifts during the first 4 weeks of the animal's life, although the abundance of only 2 OTUs (Lactobacillus and Bacteroides) increase during this time. Lactobacillus appear to govern the bacterial composition, followed distantly by Clostridiales (mainly Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus and unidentified genera from the families Peptostreptococaceae and Ruminococcaceae) and Bacteroidales (Bacteroides and Parabacteroides). The roles of Redbro faeces microbiota have been revealed through in silico functional predictions. We found that Lactobacillus members may play relevant roles within its host and seem to highly influence the metabolism of fructose and mannose among other relevant functions.The authors would like to acknowledge the students, teachers and governing board of Alfonso IX High School in Zamora (Spain) for their participation in this project, with special thanks to Clodomiro Seco Muñoz, the coordinator of the collaboration. They also thank the farm El Espolon who supplied the animals and chicken feed, and especially Jorge González. Zaki Saati-Santamaría is the recipient of a Postdoctoral fellowship obtained from Regional Government of Castilla and Leon and the European Social Fund. Paula García-Fraile and Zaki Saati-Santamaría would like to acknowledge the Regional Government of Castilla and Leon for funding the project Escalera de Excelencia (CLU-2018-04) and for co-funding the facilities needed for carrying out this study (P.O. FEDER of Castilla and Leon 2014-2020). They would also like to thank Emma J. Keck for English language editionPeer reviewe