Comparing the bacterial communities of wild and captive golden mantella frogs: Implications for amphibian conservation.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial communities are frequently found in symbiotic associations with most animal species. The characteristically moist amphibian skin provides a good environment for the growth of some species of bacteria; among these a few can act as a first line defense mechanism against infections. Amphibians in the wild have relatively high exposure to bacteria through environmental transmission and through interactions with different conspecifics, whilst in captivity animals interact with fewer individuals, as well as experiencing a less complex environment through which to obtain their bacterial community. Here we compared the skin microbiota of captive and wild Mantella aurantiaca to investigate whether the captive environment was affecting individuals' skin associated bacteria. This could have

SUBMITTER: Passos LF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6209184 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature