Antifungal isolates database of amphibian skin‐associated bacteria and function against emerging fungal pathogens: Ecological Archives E096‐059. Issue 2 (1st February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woodhams, Douglas C.; Alford, Ross A.; Antwis, Rachael E.; Archer, Holly; Becker, Matthew H.; Belden, Lisa K.; Bell, Sara C.; Bletz, Molly; Daskin, Joshua H.; Davis, Leyla R.; Flechas, Sandra V.; Lauer, Antje; Gonzalez, Antonio; Harris, Reid N.; Holden, Whitney M.; Hughey, Myra C.; Ibáñez, Roberto; Knight, Rob; Kueneman, Jordan; Rabemananjara, Falitiana; Reinert, Laura K.; Rollins-Smith, Louise A.; Roman-Rodriguez, Franklin; Shaw, Stephanie D.; Walke, Jenifer B.; McKenzie, Valerie
• Is Part Of: Ecology. Volume 96:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 595
• Page End: 595
• Publication Date: 2015-02-01
• Subjects: amphibian -- antifungal -- Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis -- culture database -- disease ecology -- microbiota -- probiotic therapy -- skin pathogens; Ecology -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; Écologie -- Périodiques; Ecologie; Écologie; Écologie animale; Écologie végétale; Ecology; Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1890/14-1837.1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0012-9658

Abstract

Abstract : Microbial symbionts of vertebrate skin have an important function in defense of the host against pathogens. In particular, the emerging chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, causes widespread disease in amphibians but can be inhibited via secondary metabolites produced by many different skin‐associated bacteria. Similarly, the fungal pathogens of terrestrial salamander eggs Mariannaea elegans and Rhizomucor variabilis are also inhibited by a variety of skin‐associated bacteria. Indeed, probiotic therapy against fungal diseases is a recent approach in conservation medicine with growing experimental support. We present a comprehensive Antifungal Isolates Database of amphibian skin‐associated bacteria that have been cultured, isolated, and tested for antifungal properties. At the start, this database includes nearly 2000 cultured bacterial isolates from 37 amphibian host species across 18 studies on five continents: Africa, Oceania, Europe, and North and South America. As the research community gathers information on additional isolates, the database will be updated periodically. The resulting database can serve as a conservation tool for amphibians and other organisms, and provides empirical data for comparative and bioinformatic studies. The database consists of a FASTA file containing 16S rRNA gene sequences of the bacterial isolates, and a metadata file containing information on the host species, life‐stage, geographic region, and antifungal capacity and taxonomic identity of the isolate.