Direct and Indirect Horizontal Transmission of the Antifungal Probiotic Bacterium Janthinobacterium lividum on Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) Tadpoles

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.04147-15
• Publication Date: 2016-02-13T12:18:34Z
• Authors: Eria A. Rebollar; Stephen J. Simonetti; William R. Shoemaker; Reid N. Harris
• Keywords: Lithobates

Amphibian populations worldwide are being threatened by the disease chytridiomycosis, which is caused Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis To mitigate effects of B. dendrobatidis, bioaugmentation antifungal bacteria has been shown to be a promising strategy. One way implement through indirect horizontal transmission, defined as transfer from host environment and another host. In addition, direct transmission among individuals can facilitate spread probiotic in population. this study, we tested whether bacterium Janthinobacterium lividum could horizontally transferred, directly or indirectly, laboratory experiment using Lithobates clamitans tadpoles. We evaluated ability J. lividumto colonize tadpoles' skin persist time culture-dependent culture-independent techniques. also addition affected community L. found that occurred rapidly but included potential substrate was more effective. Even though colonized skin, its relative abundance on tadpole decreased over time. The inoculation did not significantly alter bacterial diversity tadpoles, dominated Pseudomonas Our results show an effective method. Future research needed determine best conditions, including presence substrates, under so becomes successful strategy chytridiomycosis.