Bronson, Katherine

Nelson, Haakon

Wildeman, Bethany

English

Liberty University Digital Commons

 Title - Characterization of the Peaks of Otter Salamander Microbiome as an Innate Defense against Emerging Infectious Diseases  Program of Study – Department of Biology and Chemistry   Presentation Type –Print Poster  Mentor(s) and Mentor Email - Dr. Matthew H. Becker (mbecker5@liberty.edu)  Student name(s) and email(s) – Haakon Nelson (hrnelson1@liberty.edu); Katherine Bronson (kbronson@liberty.edu); Bethany Wildeman (bwildeman@liberty.edu)  Category –Basic  Abstract: Recent global amphibian population decreases have prompted inquiry into possible causes, and scientists have implicated the fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) as key causes. These fungi infect the skin of many amphibian species which can result in the pathogenesis of chytridiomycosis, a fatal disease. While some amphibian populations have been shown to be resistant to chytridiomycosis, others are susceptible to the disease; resistance against Bd infection has been linked to the production of anti-fungal biomolecules by symbiotic cutaneous bacteria. The Peaks of Otter salamander (Plethodon hubrichti) is a terrestrial species endemic to the Peaks of Otter within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. We sought to characterize the microbiome of the P. hubrichti to better understand host-symbiont-pathogen interactions. P. hubrichti individuals (N=15) were captured using gloves and rinsed with sterile water to remove transient microbes. The skin of each specimen was swabbed to collect microbial cells. Cells were transferred to R2A agar plates and incubated at room temperature. Bacterial and fungal colonies were examined for morphology and were isolated by streaking. The DNA of pure cultures was extracted and subsequent 16S rRNA Sanger sequencing will identify the species of each isolate. Co-culture assays will be employed to test the in vitro efficacy of each bacteria in inhibiting the growth of Bd. Additionally, the presence of Bd and Bsal will be quantified using distinct skin swabs whose DNA will be extracted and quantified in species-specific qPCR assays.  It is suspected that the healthy microbiome of P. hubrichti will confer some anti-fungal properties, and this finding will prompt exploration into possible bioaugmentation strategies for conservation purposes.  Christian Worldview Integration: According to the Biblical Christian worldview, God created the earth and cosmos and filled them with living things. The pinnacle of the life He formed on earth was the human being, into whom He breathed life and implanted His own image. Within the creation account, the Creator grants humanity the authority to rule over the other creatures: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth’” (Genesis 1:26, ESV). One of the first mandates given to humanity is to oversee the organisms of the earth, a responsibility demonstrated by Adam’s naming the animals. The 21st century Christian who seeks to follow the divine mandate of proper environmental stewardship will value goals including habitat preservation, the minimization of pollution, and protection for certain wildlife. Our research contributes to these efforts by seeking greater knowledge of the Peaks of Otter Salamander, a species endemic to a small area within the Blue Ridge Mountains. This species may be susceptible to certain cutaneous diseases and our intention is to gain information about the natural protection that may be afforded by symbiotic bacteria, a relationship that has been demonstrated in other amphibian species. Our research will increase our understanding of this species and may lead to bioaugmentation attempts to help protect and conserve this unique species. Pursuing knowledge about creation and using the information to develop strategies to protect wildlife from disease is one way that we as scientists can demonstrate our love of God and His creation.   

Characterization of the Peaks of Otter Salamander Microbiome as an Innate Defense against Emerging Infectious Disease

https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1141&amp;context=research_symp

Characterization of the Peaks of Otter Salamander Microbiome as an Innate Defense against Emerging Infectious Disease

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