Comparative analysis of fecal microbial community diversity between Bactrian camels and Mongolian cattle based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Introduction: The Alxa region is a typical arid and semi-arid ecosystem in northwestern China, where Bactrian camels and Mongolian cattle coexist under natural grazing conditions but differ markedly in feeding behavior and environmental tolerance. These differences may be reflected in host-associated gut microbial communities. This study compared the fecal microbiota of the two species to clarify microbial features associated with adaptation to the local desert grassland environment. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 12 healthy adult Bactrian camels and 12 healthy adult Mongolian cattle grazing on spring pasture in the Alxa region. Total microbial DNA was extracted from fecal samples, and the hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using the Illumina platform. Community composition, alpha and beta diversity, differential taxa and microbial co-occurrence networks were then analyzed. Results: The Shannon index was significantly higher in Bactrian camels than in Mongolian cattle ( Discussion: These findings provide preliminary microbial evidence that Bactrian camels and Mongolian cattle maintain their survival by shaping distinct gut microbial community structures and functional interaction patterns.