Comparison of Fecal Microflora between Wild Japanese Monkeys in a Snowy Area and Laboratory-Reared Japanese Monkeys

Abstract

Fecal microflora of wild Japanese monkeys in a snowy area was compared with that of laboratory-reared Japanese monkeys. The wild animals in winter fed mainly on the bark of certain broad-leaf trees and the reared animals were fed the commercial monkey diet and raw sweat potatoes. The total bacterial count of the wild animals was significantly lower than that of the reared animals. Significant qualitative differences in the numbers of all aerobes in both groups were observed, whereas the numbers of all anaerobes in both animals did not differ. The numbers of Bacteroidaceae, Eubacterium spp., Peptococcaceae, Bifidobacterium spp., Veillonella spp., Sarcina ventriculi, Entero-bacteriaceae and Streptococcus spp. in the wild monkeys were significantly lower than those in the reared monkeys. Also, a significant reduction of Bacteroides spp. isolated from bacteroides-selective agar (NBGT) was observed in the feces of the wild animals. However, the numbers of Lactobacillus Spp., anaerobic curved rods and spiral shaped rods did not differ in both animals. Lecithinase-negative Clostridium spp. was predominant fecal bacteria in the wild monkeys, although the incidence was low. The results show that the "bark-eating" habits may cause remakable changes in the microbial population and proportions in the feces in the wild Japanese monkeys in snowy areas.