Metagenomic sequencing of the gut virome in captive snow leopards (Panthera uncia)
This project characterizes viral sequences detected in seven fecal samples collected from clinically healthy captive snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in Qinghai, China. Four samples were collected in July 2025 and three in February 2025 and were analyzed using an Illumina-based viral metagenomic workflow. The study describes assembled complete or near-complete viral genomes from several viral families and examines their phylogenetic relationships. Because the sequences were detected in fecal metagenomic data, these findings do not by themselves demonstrate active infection, definitive host association, cross-species transmission, or seasonal virome patterns. The deposited raw sequencing reads are provided to support reproducibility and further investigation.