Grey and harbor seals in France (mainland and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon): microbial communities and identification of a microbial source tracking seal marker.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Seals, protected wild marine mammals, are widely found in waters around the world. However, rising concerns about their increasing numbers in some areas have led to potential worries regarding microbiological contamination of coastal areas by their feces, which could impact bathing and shellfish-harvesting activities. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted on the bacterial and RNA viral communities present in the feces of both grey and harbor seals, which are the two main seal species observed in mainland France and overseas.

Methods

Fecal bacterial (n = 132) and RNA viral (n = 40) communities of seals were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon high-throughput sequencing and viral RNA sequencing methods, respectively. In addition

SUBMITTER: Godino Sanchez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11652528 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature