In a recent article of Bates et al. in Nature Communications, the first Pyrenean data on microbiomes has been published. The microbiome in the sediment differs markedly between aquatic samples and samples from tadpoles and metamorphs. Interestingly, also a compositional change from tadpole to froglet stage has been observed, with less Actinobacteria in tadpoles as compared to metamorphs, but more Fimiscules. Differences have also been observed in those sites with 100% infected individuals as compared to those with lower prevalences.
The authors write: " We demonstrate that host population, infection dynamics and life stage are all significant factors in shaping amphibian skin bacterial communities, with population accounting for the greatest amount of variation. While there was a clear microbiome signature corresponding to disease outcome, an association between disease state and pathogen genetics was not evident. "
The full article can be read here.
