Effects of Snake Fungal Disease on Epidermal Microbiome Dynamics

dc.contributor.advisorWalker, Donald
dc.contributor.authorRomer , Alexander Sebastian
dc.contributor.committeememberBergemann, Sarah
dc.contributor.committeememberMiller, Brian
dc.contributor.committeememberEnnen, Joshua
dc.date.accessioned2020-07-09T16:03:37Z
dc.date.available2020-07-09T16:03:37Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.date.updated2020-07-09T16:03:39Z
dc.description.abstractEcological disturbance is a key factor in structuring biotic assemblages. Microbial assemblages are subject to disturbance and react predictably to it. This study aimed to determine if host- and pathogen- associated processes act as perturbations to the microbiome. Snake Fungal Disease (SFD), caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, is an emerging infectious disease. I hypothesized that shedding and disease would alter the structure and assembly of the snake microbiome. I inoculated 22 Northern Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) with O. ophiodiicola to assess the effects of SFD on host microbial assemblages over 82 days. Swabs were taken of each snake/mesocosm weekly and during shedding events. Swabs were utilized for quantitative PCR of O. ophiodiicola (pathogen load) and high-throughput sequencing to characterize microbial assemblages. Infection with SFD generated chronic disturbance of the microbiome; resulting in changes to alpha and beta diversity. Shedding generated acute disturbance of the microbiome; resulting in changes to beta-diversity and assembly processes. This work demonstrates the utility of disturbance ecology in studies of host-pathogen-microbiome interactions.
dc.description.degreeM.S.
dc.identifier.urihttps://jewlscholar.mtsu.edu/handle/mtsu/6267
dc.language.rfc3066en
dc.publisherMiddle Tennessee State University
dc.subjectBiology
dc.thesis.degreelevelmasters
dc.titleEffects of Snake Fungal Disease on Epidermal Microbiome Dynamics

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