Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42304055›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

Characterization of gut microbiota in wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) from five forests across Thailand.

Supika Kantirakoon, Sarisa Klinhom, Chanon Kunasol, Chaiya Huayhongthong, Prapat Sukuprakarn, Weerapong Korawat, Suthipong Kaemthubtim, Thanapong Purintarabal, Wanchai Simmasien, Somporn Pakpien and 6 more

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Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Supika Kantirakoon *Center of Elephant and Wildlife Health, Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand.
Sarisa Klinhom *Center of Elephant and Wildlife Health, Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand.
Chanon KunasolCenter of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
Chaiya HuayhongthongKhao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30130, Thailand.
Prapat SukuprakarnThab Lan National Park, Prachin Buri, 19220, Thailand.
Weerapong KorawatKhao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chachoengsao, 24160, Thailand.
Suthipong KaemthubtimSublangka Wildlife Sanctuary, Lopburi, 15190, Thailand.
Thanapong PurintarabalDoi Pha Mueang Wildlife Sanctuary, Lampang, 52190, Thailand.
Wanchai SimmasienPhu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, Loei, 42160, Thailand.
Somporn PakpienDong Phayayen-Khao Yai Wildlife Research Station, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30370, Thailand.
Boonchu ThongnamchaimaChachoengsao Wildlife Research Station, Chachoengsao, 24160, Thailand.
Jirachai ArkajakPhu Luang Wildlife Research Station, Loei, 42160, Thailand.
Rachaya ArkajakPhu Luang Wildlife Research Station, Loei, 42160, Thailand.
Nipon ChattipakornCenter of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
Siriporn C ChattipakornCenter of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand. siriporn.c@cmu.ac.th.
Chatchote ThitaramCenter of Elephant and Wildlife Health, Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand. chatchote.thitaram@cmu.ac.th.

Funding

Distinguished Research Professor Grant from the National Research Council of Thailand N42A660301Research Chair Grant from the National Research Council of Thailand N42A670594Thailand Research Fund RSA6280095the CMU Presidential Scholarship and Chiang Mai University 2565-081
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The gut microbiota plays a critical role in mammalian health, yet remains poorly understood in wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). This study characterized the gut microbiome of wild elephants using 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples collected from five natural habitats in Thailand: Doi Pha Mueang Wildlife Sanctuary (DPM), Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary (KARN), Khao Yai National Park (KY), Phuluang Wildlife Sanctuary (PL), and Sublangka Wildlife Sanctuary (SLK), representing distinct geographic regions. Across all sites, Thai wild elephants shared a core gut microbiota dominated by fiber-degrading bacteria. Firmicutes was the most abundant phylum, followed by Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, and Proteobacteria. At the family level, Lachnospiraceae predominated, followed by Oscillospiraceae, Anaerovoracaceae, and Christensenellaceae. Environmental variable, including geographic coordinates and minimum elevation, significantly influenced microbial community composition and explained patterns of beta diversity, indicating distinct gut microbiota profiles among elephant populations from different forest regions. These findings establish baseline gut microbiome data for wild Asian elephants and provide a foundation for future ecological and conservation-focused microbiome studies.

Indexed as

BacteriaElephantsGastrointestinal MicrobiomeAnimalsAnimals, WildBiodiversityFecesForestsPhylogenyRNA, Ribosomal, 16SThailandRNA, Ribosomal, 16S16S rRNA sequencingElephas maximusGut microbiotaWild Asian elephants

Identifiers

PMID42304055
PMCPMC13534693

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