Gut microbiota of Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) nestlings in Northeast Algeria

Abstract

Abstract The intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the digestion of food provided by parents to their hatchlings. Non-pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract can be significantly beneficial to the host species, while pathogenic bacteria can reduce hatchling survival and lead to a decline in the number of new generation. Microbiological analysis of cloacal microflora of hatchlings revealed a highly diverse microbial load present from hatching until fledging (at 15 days) in Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). The intestinal microflora of 15-day-olds was the most diverse, and two groups are dependent on age: CPG and Lactobacilli are mostly present in hatchlings of the second and third ages (10 and 15 days). Our research was conducted to identify certain bacterial species, such as E. coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus. The presence of most species was related to age, while the presence of Salmonella was accidental.