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.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Faculty of Medicine; the Center of Elephant and Wildlife Health Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; and the Erawan HPC Project, Information Technology Service Center (ITSC), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand for their support. Thank you Sirawit Sriwichaiin and Sasiwan Kerdpoo from Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Faculty of Medicine for the technical support. We are also grateful to Doi Pha Mueang Wildlife Sanctuary, Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary with Chachoengsao Wildlife Research Station, Khao Yai National Park with Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Wildlife Research Station, Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary with Phu Luang Wildlife Research Station and Sublangka Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as all the researchers and forest rangers who assisted with sample collection.
Funding
This study was supported by the Thailand Research Fund (grant number RSA6280095 to C.T.), the CMU Presidential Scholarship and Chiang Mai University (grant number 2565-081 to S.KA.), the Distinguished Research Professor Grant from the National Research Council of Thailand (N42A660301 to S.C.C.); the Research Chair Grant from the National Research Council of Thailand (N42A670594 to N.C.); and a Chiang Mai University Center of Excellence Award (N.C., C.T.).
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Kantirakoon, S., Klinhom, S., Kunasol, C. et al. Characterization of gut microbiota in wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) from five forests across Thailand.
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-57801-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-57801-x
Keywords
- Gut microbiota
- 16S rRNA sequencing
Elephas maximus
- Wild Asian elephants
Source: Ecology - nature.com
