About This Project

Mass mortality events (MMEs) present an important threat to the survival of the Saiga antelopes in Kazakhstan and Mongolia. While certain microbes have been identified as prominent causes in saiga MMEs, the triggers for the invasions remain unknown. Through extensive sampling across multiple years, we will investigate the possible role of microbiome perturbations in these incidents. Improved understanding of the mechanisms behind saiga MMEs may help us prevent future incidents.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

In 2015, over 200,000 Saiga antelopes in Kazakhstan collapsed and died within 3 weeks. This represents 88% of the local population and 62% of the global population (1). In 2017, a similar mass mortality event (MME) wiped out most of the saigas in Mongolia (2). The event in Kazakhstan was caused by Pasteurella multocida, a commensal found in the respiratory tract of healthy saigas, which through change in virulence had managed to outgrow and cause blood poisoning. The mortality in Mongolia was due to PPR virus infection spilled from livestock and P. multocida was isolated from these animals as well but without associated pathology. Hence, the mechanisms by which P. multocida infection is triggered remain unclear although increased humidity and temperature appear to be significant drivers.

What is the significance of this project?

The global population of the critically endangered Saiga antelope has declined by 95% in the past 15 years, partly because of MMEs. While certain environmental factors have been linked to the saiga MMEs, we still don't understand how the baseline health of saigas affects their susceptibility to MMEs. This project investigates how natural variation in the saiga microbiome influences these incidents. Understanding changes in the microbiome that occur during MMEs may help us know how to enhance health of saigas to prevent MMEs in the future. This will strengthen the One Health nexus, which is currently disturbed in Mongolia by poor livestock management in conservation zones leading to cross infections and eventually biodiversity, food and economic losses.

What are the goals of the project?

To understand the scale and nature of microbial perturbations, the natural stability patterns in the saiga microbiota must be explored. Hence, the goal of this DPhil is to establish a dataset of microbial variation in saiga. Faecal and respiratory microbiota samples will be collected from saigas in Mongolia and Kazakhstan over 4 seasons. In this first expedition to Mongolia, 100 faecal samples will be collected at water points. A distribution map of saiga will be used as a basis for undertaking a randomised sampling frame to ensure a representative sample across the population. The microbiome will be determined with whole genome sequencing and the natural variation will be assessed with respect to host attributes as well as environmental conditions.