Four Neotropical frog species exhibit shared and distinct skin bacterial communities in a laboratory setting

TL;DR

Four Neotropical frog species share some skin bacteria but also have unique ones, showing diversity in their microbiomes.

Contribution

Demonstrates variability in amphibian skin microbiomes and integrates education with scientific research.

Findings

Frog skin microbiomes were dominated by Pseudomonas and Chryseobacterium.

Each frog species had at least one unique bacterial genus in its microbiome.

Undergraduate students conducted the research as part of a laboratory course.

Abstract

Amphibian skin microbiomes are an essential part of host physiology and pathogen defense. In this study, we identified common and distinct microbiota across four Neotropical frog species in laboratory conditions. Across frogs, we found communities dominated by
Pseudomonas
and
Chryseobacterium
. However, each frog species had a unique bacterial profile with at least one unique bacterial genus, highlighting the variability of naturally occurring amphibian skin microbiomes. These experiments were conducted by undergraduate students in an upper-division laboratory course, demonstrating how curiosity-based science education can lead to practical research experiences and new scientific insights.

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