The Role of MHC-II Diversity over Enclosure Design in Gut Microbiota Structuring of Captive Bengal Slow Lorises

The endangered Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) relies heavily on captive/rescue populations for conservation. This study investigated the critical link between Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II DRB1 exon 2 (DRB1e2) genetic variation and gut microbiota in 46 captive individuals, aiming to improve ex situ management. Using standardized conditions across three enclosure types, we characterized DRB1e2 polymorphism via targeted sequencing and analyzed fecal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Results demonstrated that high DRB1e2 polymorphism significantly reduced microbial community evenness. Specific genotypes showed distinct microbial associations: G9 strongly correlated with beneficial short-chain fatty acid producers like Fructobacillus, and G2 positively correlated with Bifidobacterium spp., while G2, G3, and G4 correlated negatively with Buchnera (a nutrient-provisioning symbiont). Genotypes and polymorphism collectively explained 9.77% of microbiota variation, exceeding the weaker (5.15%), though significant, influence of enclosure type on β-diversity. These findings reveal that host DRB1e2 variation is a primary driver shaping gut microbiota structure and taxon abundance in captive slow lorises, providing evidence for MHC-mediated host–microbe co-adaptation. This offers a genetically informed framework for optimizing conservation strategies, such as tailoring diets or probiotics to specific genotypes, to enhance gut health and population viability.