Seasonal and altitudinal variation of gut microbiota in Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) in the Western Carpathians
Abstract
This study investigated seasonal and altitudinal variation in the gut microbiota of the Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) in the Western Carpathians during 2022–2025. Fecal samples were collected from alpine breeding sites (1600–2600 m a.s.l.) and lowland overwintering sites in southern Slovakia (400–500 m a.s.l.). Samples were cultured on non-selective and selective media (CIN, ENDO, XLD, and blood agar) and evaluated using the ENTEROtest 24N kit. The most prevalent bacterial genera were Serratia spp. (27.14%), Enterobacter spp. (20.71%), Gram-positive bacteria (10.71%), Yersinia spp. (7.14%), and Pantoea spp. (4.29%). A significant seasonal variation was observed, with the highest bacterial occurrence in autumn. No statistically significant relationship was found between altitude and bacterial presence. These findings highlight the influence of environmental seasonality on gut microbiota composition in Alpine Accentor.
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