Paired-End Illumina 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Data of Oral Microbiota in Free-Ranging Queensland Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) Across Age Groups and Periodontal Disease Status

This dataset contains raw paired-end Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene sequencing data (FASTQ files) and associated metadata from oral plaque samples collected from eight free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Queensland, Australia. The study aimed to characterize the oral microbiome across different age groups (joey, juvenile, adult, and old) and periodontal health conditions (healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis).

These data were generated to investigate age- and disease-associated shifts in the oral microbiome of koalas, with a focus on taxa such as Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas, and Lactobacillus. The dataset supports the findings of the manuscript submitted to Animals (MDPI), manuscript ID: animals-3659477.

DNA was extracted using the PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit. The V6–V8 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified using primers 803F and 1392R, and sequenced using 2 × 300 bp chemistry. Sequencing was performed on the Illumina MiSeq platform (paired-end, 2 × 300 bp) at the Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, The University of Queensland, Australia. Library preparation followed the Illumina 16S Metagenomic Sequencing Library Preparation protocol.

This dataset includes:

• 16 FASTQ files (8 samples, forward and reverse reads)
• metadata file detailing Koala sample ID and age group
• metadata file detailing Koala sample ID and Periodontitis (PD) status
• metadata file detailing Koala sample ID and Gingivitis status

The data supports the findings of the manuscript titled “The oral microbiome in Queensland free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and its association with age and periodontal disease”, submitted to Animals (MDPI), manuscript ID: animals-3659477.

In animals-3659477, this dataset has been used for taxonomic profiling, diversity analysis, and exploration of microbial shifts associated with age and oral disease in koalas.