title: Characterization ofBatrachochytrium dendrobatidisInhibiting Bacteria from Amphibian Populations in Costa Rica.
abstract: Global amphibian declines and extinction events are occurring at an unprecedented rate. While several factors are responsible for declines and extinction, the fungal pathogenBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd) has been cited as a major constituent in these events. While the effects of this chytrid fungus have been shown to cause broad scale population declines and extinctions, certain individuals and relict populations have shown resistance. This resistance has been attributed in part to the cutaneous bacterial microbiome. Here, we present the first study characterizing anti-Bdbacterial isolates from amphibian populations in Costa Rica, including the characterization of two strains ofSerratia marcescenspresenting strong anti-Bdactivity. Transcriptome sequencing was utilized for delineation of shifts in gene expression of the two previously uncharacterized strains ofS. marcescensgrown in three different treatments comprisingBd, heat-killedBd, and a noBdcontrol. These results revealed up- and down-regulation of key genes associated with different metabolic and regulatory pathways. This information will be valuable in continued efforts to develop a bacterial-based approach for amphibian protection as well as providing direction for continued mechanistic inquiries of the bacterial anti-Bdresponse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Madison
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Estructuras Microscópicas, Universidad de Costa Rica San Pedro de Montes de Oca, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Juan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Abarca
authors.affiliation: Conservation and Research Department, Zoo Miami Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Whitfield
authors.affiliation: Life Science Laboratory, Westcore DNA Sequencing Facility, Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Oxana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gorbatenko
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Estructuras Microscópicas, Universidad de Costa RicaSan Pedro de Montes de Oca, Costa Rica; Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela de Medicina, Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular, Universidad de Costa RicaSan Pedro de Montes de Oca, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Jacob L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kerby
keywords: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; RNA-sequencing; Serratia marcescens; amphibian; microbiome