What the study found
The study found that wild boar and domestic pig faecal microbiomes form two main community types linked to diet and lifestyle rather than host species alone. It also found many previously unknown microbial taxa in wild boars and identified species with substantial carbohydrate-degrading potential.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the wild boar microbiome may be a source of microbes useful for improving fibre degradation in pigs. They also suggest that the curated catalogue of carbohydrate degraders could help guide probiotic supplementation during transitions to more fibrous feedstocks.
What the researchers tested
The researchers collected 89 faecal samples from wild boars in four countries and analysed them mainly with metagenomic sequencing, which reads all genetic material in a sample. They assembled metagenome-assembled genomes and compared the results with 125 previously published pig samples, most from domestic pigs.
What worked and what didn't
De novo assembly produced 3,288 high- and medium-quality metagenome-assembled genomes representing 968 species, including 538 that were previously unknown. The comparison revealed two community types: one dominated by free-ranging, foraging wild boars and one dominated by captive, fed domestic pigs; the first had lower alpha-diversity, while both types retained substantial carbohydrate utilization potential. The domestic-pig-associated community had a higher relative abundance of carbohydrate-active enzyme sub genes linked to a broader range of carbohydrate classes, while the wild-boar-associated community was enriched in species that were generally richer in these genes and classes.
What to keep in mind
The summary does not provide details on experimental validation beyond sequencing and comparative analysis. The findings are based on faecal samples from wild boars and previously published pig samples, so the abstract does not describe outcomes beyond this comparison.
Key points
- The study identified 3,288 metagenome-assembled genomes from wild boar faecal samples.
- Among 968 species represented, 538 were previously unknown.
- Two microbiome community types were linked to free-ranging wild boars and captive domestic pigs.
- The wild-boar-associated community showed lower alpha-diversity than the domestic-pig-associated community.
- Both community types showed substantial carbohydrate utilization potential.
- The authors curated 47 highly versatile carbohydrate-degrading species, including several novel species.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Wild boar and domestic pig gut microbiomes differ by diet and lifestyle
- Authors:
- Yu Chyuan Heng, Joanna Hui Xin Chua, Shaktheeshwari Silvaraju, Huan Fan, Adrian Low, Amber Ching Han Lim, Binbin Chen, L. Mane, Sumit Singh Dagar, K. Fliegerová, Giuseppe Moniello, Wakako IKEDA-OHTSUBO, Kei Okuda, Henning Seedorf, Kevin Lim, Sandra Kittelmann
- Institutions:
- Agharkar Research Institute, Agharkar Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Hiroshima Shudo University, National University of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Tohoku University, University of Sassari, Wilmar International (Singapore), Wilmar International (Singapore), Wilmar International (Singapore), Wilmar International (Singapore), Wilmar International (Singapore), Wilmar International (Singapore), Wilmar International (Singapore), Wilmar International (Singapore)
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-02
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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