The role of family and environment in determining the skin bacterial communities of captive aquatic frogs, Xenopus laevis.

ABSTRACT: Skin microbes play an important role in amphibian tissue regeneration. Xenopus spp. (African clawed frogs) are well-established model organisms, and standard husbandry protocols, including use of antibiotics, may affect experimental outcomes by altering bacterial assemblages. It is therefore essential to improve knowledge of Xenopus bacterial community characteristics and inheritance. We undertook bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and source tracking of a captive Xenopus laevis colony, including various life stages and environmental samples across multiple aquarium systems. Tank environments supported the most complex bacterial communities, while egg jelly bacteria were the most diverse of frog life stages; tadpole bacterial communities were relatively simple. Rhizobium (Proteobacteria) a

SUBMITTER: Chapman PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11503959 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature