Publications by authors named "Yuhuan Zhai"
Cetaceans play a crucial role in marine ecosystems; however, research on their gastrointestinal microbiota remains limited due to sampling constraints. In this study, we collected hindgut samples from 12 stranded cetaceans and performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate microbial composition and functional potentials. Analysis of ZOTUs profiles revealed that the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes dominated all hindgut samples.
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- The study examined the distribution of trace elements (TEs) in cetaceans, specifically Stenella attenuata, Kogia breviceps, and Peponocephala electra, to enhance our understanding of marine ecology and toxicology.
- Most cetaceans showed normal TE levels with low toxicity risk, but Peponocephala electra had concerning mercury and cadmium levels due to land-based pollution in the East China Sea.
- Tissue analysis revealed that organs like the liver, spleen, and kidney are key for accumulating toxic metals, with notable correlations between selenium and mercury, while stable isotopes indicated overlapping trophic niches among the studied species.