Understanding the Role of Tetrodotoxin on Skin Microbiome Composition and Chytrid Fungal Infection in Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa)
Faculty Mentor
Jenifer Walke
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
10-5-2023 9:30 AM
End Date
10-5-2023 9:50 AM
Location
PUB 319
Department
Biology
Abstract
Chytridiomycosis is an amphibian disease linked to population declines and species extinctions, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). While chytridiomycosis can result in host death, some amphibians are less susceptible to severe infections due to factors such as host-associated skin microbes, which play an important role in host defense by inhibiting Bd through resource competition and producing antifungal metabolites. Aiding amphibian defense against disease, parasites, and predation are granular (poison) glands releasing toxins, such as Tetrodotoxin (TTX) in response to epinephrine or norepinephrine stress cues. TTX is a potent neurotoxin found throughout marine taxa, but production is limited to amphibians among land vertebrates. Despite negative relationships between TTX concentration and Bd infection intensity, influences of host-produced TTX concentration on microbiome diversity and pathogen interactions remain understudied. We examined relationships of TTX concentrations on host-pathogen-microbiome dynamics in rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa, n = 90) collected in the Cascade Mountain region. Among newt populations, there were significant differences in TTX concentration but not Bd zoospore equivalents, suggesting TTX concentration did not influence Bd infection intensity. However, our ongoing investigations into TTX concentration and microbiome diversity may reveal interactions of complex micro-ecosystem processes utilized in Bd defense. Elucidating evolutionary relationships of host-pathogen-microbiome dynamics in vulnerable groups is necessary to further conservation efforts in even distantly related taxa by clarifying physiological and microbiome responses to antagonism.
Recommended Citation
Jost, Talon, "Understanding the Role of Tetrodotoxin on Skin Microbiome Composition and Chytrid Fungal Infection in Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa)" (2023). 2023 Symposium. 1.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2023/res_2023/os2_2023/1
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Understanding the Role of Tetrodotoxin on Skin Microbiome Composition and Chytrid Fungal Infection in Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa)
PUB 319
Chytridiomycosis is an amphibian disease linked to population declines and species extinctions, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). While chytridiomycosis can result in host death, some amphibians are less susceptible to severe infections due to factors such as host-associated skin microbes, which play an important role in host defense by inhibiting Bd through resource competition and producing antifungal metabolites. Aiding amphibian defense against disease, parasites, and predation are granular (poison) glands releasing toxins, such as Tetrodotoxin (TTX) in response to epinephrine or norepinephrine stress cues. TTX is a potent neurotoxin found throughout marine taxa, but production is limited to amphibians among land vertebrates. Despite negative relationships between TTX concentration and Bd infection intensity, influences of host-produced TTX concentration on microbiome diversity and pathogen interactions remain understudied. We examined relationships of TTX concentrations on host-pathogen-microbiome dynamics in rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa, n = 90) collected in the Cascade Mountain region. Among newt populations, there were significant differences in TTX concentration but not Bd zoospore equivalents, suggesting TTX concentration did not influence Bd infection intensity. However, our ongoing investigations into TTX concentration and microbiome diversity may reveal interactions of complex micro-ecosystem processes utilized in Bd defense. Elucidating evolutionary relationships of host-pathogen-microbiome dynamics in vulnerable groups is necessary to further conservation efforts in even distantly related taxa by clarifying physiological and microbiome responses to antagonism.
