Seasonal Metagenomic Survey of Pathogenic Microorganisms in Non-Human Primates in Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, China

Understanding the diversity of pathogenic microorganisms in wild primates is essential for assessing their health and zoonotic risks. In this study, metagenomic sequencing was applied to investigate the composition and seasonal dynamics of potential pathogenic microorganisms in the feces of <i>François' langurs</i>. A total of 77 potential pathogenic taxa were identified, mainly belonging to <i>Bacillota</i> and <i>Pseudomonadota</i>. The most abundant genera were <i>Streptococcus</i>, <i>Staphylococcus</i>, <i>Salmonella</i>, <i>Listeria</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas</i>, while dominant species included <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>, <i>Salmonella enterica</i>, <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, and <i>Escherichia coli</i>. Significant seasonal differences were detected in both α- and β-diversity indices, with higher microbial diversity in spring and distinct community structures across seasons. Several genera and species, including <i>Vibrio</i>, <i>Chlamydia</i>, <i>Mycobacteroides</i>, <i>Vibrio cholerae</i>, <i>Yersinia enterocolitica</i>, <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i>, and <i>Mycobacteroides abscessus</i>, showed marked seasonal fluctuations. The findings reveal that the pathogenic microbial community of <i>François' langurs</i> is strongly shaped by seasonal environmental factors. The detection of multiple zoonotic pathogens suggests a potential risk of cross-species transmission, providing valuable baseline data for primate disease ecology and conservation health management.