Ecological Factors and Anthropogenic Disturbance Influence the Skin
Microbiota of Maoershan Hynobiids (Hynobius maoershanensis)
Abstract
Abstract Information on the skin microbiota of amphibians can provide a
solid basis for exploring the interactions between symbiotic
microorganisms and hosts, thereby deepening our understanding of
adaptation to the changing environment. Studies on the skin microbiota
of amphibians in different disturbed habitats can clarify the
relationships between skin microbiota composition and environmental
factors and have practical implications for the conservation of
endangered species. In this study, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing
was used to profile the skin microbiota of the Maoershan hynobiid
(Hynobius maoershanensis). Our results illustrated that the alpha
diversity of the skin microbiota significantly differed between
individuals in disturbed and undisturbed habitats. The diversity of the
skin microbiota in forelimb bud stage tadpoles from disturbed habitats
was higher than that in their counterparts from undisturbed habitats
(Shannon index: 2.244 ± 0.601 vs. 1.731 ± 0.688; Simpson index: 0.230 ±
0.129 vs. 0.407 ± 0.205). The richness of the skin microbiota in
hindlimb bud stage tadpoles was greater in disturbed habitats than in
undisturbed habitats (ACE: 366.303 ± 186.993 vs. 148.357 ± 66.579; Chao:
355.946 ± 177.974 vs. 146.026 ± 65.794). Furthermore, stepwise
regression analysis indicated that the skin microbiota diversity and
relative abundance of dominant bacteria decreased with both increasing
temperature and pH; conversely, skin microbiota richness increased with
increasing humidity. In addition, the diversity and richness of the skin
microbiota increased with increasing anthropogenic disturbance, and the
relative abundance of dominant bacteria was influenced by anthropogenic
disturbance. We conclude that the skin microbiota of Maoershan hynobiids
is affected by ecological factors and anthropogenic disturbance,
highlighting the importance of the skin microbiota in response to
habitat alteration and the need to develop more efficient measures to
protect Maoershan hynobiids.