Effects of Snake Fungal Disease on Epidermal Microbiome Dynamics
Effects of Snake Fungal Disease on Epidermal Microbiome Dynamics
dc.contributor.advisor | Walker, Donald | |
dc.contributor.author | Romer , Alexander Sebastian | |
dc.contributor.committeemember | Bergemann, Sarah | |
dc.contributor.committeemember | Miller, Brian | |
dc.contributor.committeemember | Ennen, Joshua | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2020-07-09T16:03:37Z | |
dc.date.available | 2020-07-09T16:03:37Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2020 | |
dc.date.updated | 2020-07-09T16:03:39Z | |
dc.description.abstract | Ecological 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.degree | M.S. | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://jewlscholar.mtsu.edu/handle/mtsu/6267 | |
dc.language.rfc3066 | en | |
dc.publisher | Middle Tennessee State University | |
dc.subject | Biology | |
dc.thesis.degreelevel | masters | |
dc.title | Effects of Snake Fungal Disease on Epidermal Microbiome Dynamics |
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