Becker, Matthew

Beiler, Olivia

Perkins, McKenzie

Stuck, Jenna

Wymbs, Elizabeth

Liberty University Digital Commons

Title - Microbiome Characterization of the Cave Salamander as Potential Defense Against Emerging Infectious Diseases Program of Study – Biology and Chemistry Studies Presentation Type – Physical Poster Subtype – Applied Mentor(s) and Mentor Email - Dr. Matthew Becker (mbecker5@liberty.edu) Student name(s) and email(s) – Elizabeth Wymbs (eawumbs@liberty.edu), Jenna Stuck (jastuck@liberty.edu), Olivia Beiler (Olbeiler@liberty.edu), Mackenzie Perkins (meperkins1@liberty.edu)   Abstract: Two fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) have been identified as key causes of recent global amphibian population decreases. The disease chytridiomycosis caused by these fungi infect the skin of amphibian species is fatal to many who contract it. Some amphibian populations have been discovered to be resistant against Bd due to production of anti-fungal biomolecules by symbiotic cutaneous bacteria. The cave salamander Eurycea lucifuga, known more commonly as the Spotted Tail salamander, is a brook salamander species located in the Southeast United States and the Ohio Valley whose susceptibility to Bd has not yet been determined. We sought to characterize the cave salamander’s microbiome to determine if its resident skin microbiota have a role in the disease susceptibility of this species. Twelve E. lucifuga individuals were captured and rinsed to remove transient microbes. The skin of each individual was swabbed to collect the resident microbiota of the specimen. Microbes collected were then transferred to R2A agar plates and incubated at room temperature. The morphology of each bacterial and fungal colonies was recorded and each colony was then isolated into a pure culture by streaking. DNA of the pure, isolated cultures were extracted and sequenced using the 16S rRNA Sanger technique to determine the species identity. Cave salamanders have a diverse skin microbial community - so far, we have isolated 56 bacteria and fungi from 6 salamanders (Mean = 9.3 isolates per individual). The most abundant microbial family identified thus far is Microbacteriaceae (7 out 12 isolates). Culture assays will be used to test the in vitro efficacy of each isolated bacteria against the growth of Bd. It is expected that the characterized microbiome of E. lucifuga will show promising anti-fungal properties that will prompt future conservation studies exploring possible methods of utilizing these properties against diseases causing fungi, including Bd. 

Microbiome Characterization of the Cave Salamander as Potential Defense Against Emerging Infectious Diseases

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