Tetrodotoxin and Location, but Not Chytrid Fungal Infection, Influence Skin Microbiome Composition In Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa)
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Jenifer Walke
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
5-8-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
5-8-2024 10:45 AM
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Biology
Abstract
Chytridiomycosis is an amphibian fungal skin disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and linked to global population declines and extinctions. However, some amphibians are less susceptible to infection through intrinsic factors, including skin microbes aiding defense through resource competition and antifungal metabolite production. Amphibians can also release toxins, such as tetrodotoxin (TTX) in the genus Taricha, in response to stress cues to defend against disease, parasitism, and predation. Despite a previously observed negative relationship between levels of TTX concentration and Bd infection intensity, the influences of TTX concentration on host microbiome diversity and pathogen dynamics across a geographic range remains unanswered. We examined the relationship among TTX concentration, Bd infection, and skin microbiome composition in Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa, n = 90) from six locations in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Skin swabs were collected for Bd infection intensity quantification using TaqMan qPCR and microbiome characterization using Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and skin punches were collected to quantify TTX concentration using Competitive Inhibition Enzymatic Immunoassays. There were significant differences in TTX concentration and Bd infection across locations, but no direct interactions between TTX concentration and Bd infection intensity or presence. Microbiome composition varied with TTX concentration and location, but not Bd infection prevalence. Further study is necessary to determine the directionality of the TTX-microbiome relationship, that is, whether TTX concentration determines microbiome composition or if the microbiome can influence TTX concentration in Rough-skinned newts.
Recommended Citation
Jost, Talon, "Tetrodotoxin and Location, but Not Chytrid Fungal Infection, Influence Skin Microbiome Composition In Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa)" (2024). 2024 Symposium. 14.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2024/ps_2024/p1_2024/14
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Tetrodotoxin and Location, but Not Chytrid Fungal Infection, Influence Skin Microbiome Composition In Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa)
PUB NCR
Chytridiomycosis is an amphibian fungal skin disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and linked to global population declines and extinctions. However, some amphibians are less susceptible to infection through intrinsic factors, including skin microbes aiding defense through resource competition and antifungal metabolite production. Amphibians can also release toxins, such as tetrodotoxin (TTX) in the genus Taricha, in response to stress cues to defend against disease, parasitism, and predation. Despite a previously observed negative relationship between levels of TTX concentration and Bd infection intensity, the influences of TTX concentration on host microbiome diversity and pathogen dynamics across a geographic range remains unanswered. We examined the relationship among TTX concentration, Bd infection, and skin microbiome composition in Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa, n = 90) from six locations in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Skin swabs were collected for Bd infection intensity quantification using TaqMan qPCR and microbiome characterization using Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and skin punches were collected to quantify TTX concentration using Competitive Inhibition Enzymatic Immunoassays. There were significant differences in TTX concentration and Bd infection across locations, but no direct interactions between TTX concentration and Bd infection intensity or presence. Microbiome composition varied with TTX concentration and location, but not Bd infection prevalence. Further study is necessary to determine the directionality of the TTX-microbiome relationship, that is, whether TTX concentration determines microbiome composition or if the microbiome can influence TTX concentration in Rough-skinned newts.
