Changes in rumen microbial community composition in yak in response to seasonal variations.

Aims: Yak is a dominant ruminant, well adapted to grazing on pasture year around in the harsh climate of the 3000-meter-high Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The complex microbial community that resides within the yak rumen is responsible for fermentation and contributes to its climatic adaptation. This study aimed to characterize the rumen microbiota responses to wide seasonal variations, especially those necessary for survival in the cold seasons.

Whole-genome resequencing provides insights into the evolution and divergence of the native domestic yaks of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Background: On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the roof ridge of the world, the yak is a precious cattle species that has been indispensable to the human beings living in this high-altitude area. However, the origin of domestication, dispersal route, and the divergence of domestic yaks from different areas are poorly understood.

Results: Here, we resequenced the genome of 91 domestic yak individuals from 31 populations and 1 wild yaks throughout China.