Diverse bacteria from the skin of Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Diverse bacteria from the skin of Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Presenter(s)

Nicolina Valore

Comments

1:20-1:40, Kennedy Union 211

Description

Amphibians are facing a significant biodiversity crisis. In the last few decades, these animals have been decimated by two fungal pathogens, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). Curiously, the most common amphibian species in the northeastern United States, the Eastern Red-backed Salamander, (Plethodon cinereus), appears to be largely resistant to Bd infections and also does not appear to be greatly affected by Bsal. The factors that contribute to this resistance are not fully understood. In this study, we collected P. cinereus skin swab samples from a total of three locations (Caesars Creek, Hills and Dales, and Taylorsville) surrounding Dayton, Ohio. Suspensions from the swab samples were plated to isolate bacteria. From a total of 27 skin swab samples, we obtained a total of 107 bacterial isolates. Many of the isolates are identified as bacteria commonly found in soil. Interestingly, some isolates are closely related to environmental clones where no cultivation of the organisms has been reported. In a preliminary test, the antimicrobial activity of the bacterial isolates was tested against Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, Salmonella enterica, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Findings from this study will help elucidate the role of skin microbes in the protection against pathogens for P. cinereus and ultimately provide insight into amphibian conservation.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Maggie M. Hantak, Yvonne Y. Sun

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Diverse bacteria from the skin of Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Share

COinS