Multi-omics reveals gut microbiota-mediated environmental adaptation in Mallards and domesticated Shaoxing ducks

Gut microbiota remodeling is a critical component of the domestication syndrome. However, the structural and functional consequences of domestication on gut microbiomes in ducks remain poorly understood. Understanding how domestication and associated ecological transitions influence gut microbial communities can shed light on host adaptation mechanisms. We performed integrated metagenomic and metabolomic analyses of the ileal and cecal microbiota from Mallards and Shaoxing ducks-two ecotypes of Anas platyrhynchos representing wild and domesticated lineages-to investigate microbial community structure, functional capacity, and host-microbe metabolic interactions. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) revealed distinct microbial stratification between intestinal compartments (ileum vs. cecum), with domestication-associated divergence observed primarily in the cecum. Metabolomic profiles were relatively stable across both segments and populations. Mallards harbored a more diverse and metabolically versatile gut microbiota, with significant enrichment in pathways related to carbohydrate, amino acid, and vitamin metabolism. The genus Gemmiger emerged as a key functional contributor, supporting branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, coenzyme activation, and carbohydrate utilization, thus reflecting enhanced metabolic adaptability. In Shaoxing ducks, the gut microbiome was enriched in the glucagon signaling pathway and glucose-regulatory metabolites such as l-carnitine, myo-inositol, and quinate. Butyricicoccus sp017886875 was identified as a candidate taxon associated with glucose homeostasis. Additionally, immune-related pathways, including the NOD-like receptor signaling and antigen processing and presentation, were significantly enriched and linked to Anaerobiospirillum and Parabasalia, respectively. Co-enrichment of anti-inflammatory metabolites suggests the presence of a host-microbiota feedback mechanism that mitigates inflammation while maintaining immune readiness. These findings reveal that gut microbiota contribute to population-specific environmental adaptation in ducks, with distinct microbiome and functional traits associated with domestication history. The study highlights microbiota-mediated host adaptation as a key feature of domestication-related ecological transitions.