Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

1361

Date

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Biology

Committee Chair

Matthew J. Parris

Committee Member

Stephan J. Schoech

Committee Member

David A. Freeman

Abstract

The potentially fatal dermatophytic fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is one of the most significant contributors to the extensive amphibian declines occurring worldwide. However, some bacteria, such as Janthinobacterium lividum and Pseudomonas fluorescens, found on amphibian epidermal tissues, water, and soil, effectively inhibit Bd in vitro. To determine if these probiotics would promote Bd resistance of the southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) in the presence of microflora, frogs were inoculated with J. lividum and/or P.fluorescens. Once colonized by probiotics, Bd-induced mortality did not occur when compared to frogs that were not colonized by J. lividum and P. fluorescens. Those infected with Bd prior to bacterial exposure were resistant to colonization and succumbed to chytridiomycosis. Future research must address bioaugmentation strategies using techniques that identify disease associated changes on the epidermis. J. lividum and P. fluorescens did not colonize Bd-infected L. sphenocephalus; therefore, are not suitable anti-Bd bacteria for this anuran species.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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