DNA metabarcoding of the equine gut microbiota across three complementary studies.
This project investigates the diversity, structure, and variability of the equine gut microbiota through three interconnected DNA-metabarcoding studies. The first study focuses on methodological influences by comparing different DNA extraction kits, sequencing platforms, and multiple levels of replication. This assessment clarifies how technical choices affect taxonomic profiles, diversity estimates, community structure, and the reproducibility of gut microbiota analyses. The methodological dataset establishes a foundation for interpreting biological patterns with improved robustness and standardization. The second study examines the gut microbiota of foals and their dams, exploring early-life microbial establishment, maternal influence, and individual variation during initial stages of development. Paired mare–foal sampling provides insight into microbial transfer and early gut ecosystem dynamics. The third study characterizes the gut microbiota of Lipizzaner stallions from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. This unique, genetically related and consistently managed population allows investigation of microbiota stability, individuality, and environmental effects in adult horses. Together, the three studies deliver an integrated perspective on the equine gut microbiota, combining methodological evaluation with biological insights across age groups, management systems, and genetic backgrounds. The project contributes valuable reference data and supports the development of reliable, reproducible metabarcoding approaches for equine microbiota research.
This project investigates the diversity, structure, and variability of the equine gut microbiota through three interconnected DNA-metabarcoding studies. The first study focuses on methodological influences by comparing different DNA extraction kits, sequencing platforms, and multiple levels of replication. This assessment clarifies how technical choices affect taxonomic profiles, diversity estimates, community structure, and the reproducibility of gut microbiota analyses. The methodological dataset establishes a foundation for interpreting biological patterns with improved robustness and standardization. The second study examines the gut microbiota of foals and their dams, exploring early-life microbial establishment, maternal influence, and individual variation during initial stages of development. Paired mare–foal sampling provides insight into microbial transfer and early gut ecosystem dynamics. The third study characterizes the gut microbiota of Lipizzaner stallions from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. This unique, genetically related and consistently managed population allows investigation of microbiota stability, individuality, and environmental effects in adult horses. Together, the three studies deliver an integrated perspective on the equine gut microbiota, combining methodological evaluation with biological insights across age groups, management systems, and genetic backgrounds. The project contributes valuable reference data and supports the development of reliable, reproducible metabarcoding approaches for equine microbiota research.
INHM Genetics