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Pathologic Findings and Skin Microbiome Structure of Juvenile Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) Under Human Care During a High Mortality Event

Aplasca, Andrea
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1620421622463734

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Comparative and Veterinary Medicine.
Amphibian population declines have occurred across a diverse range of geographic regions, and of approximately 7900 described amphibian species, an estimated 40% are threatened. Various factors, including disease and habitat degradation, have been linked to population declines. The Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is classified as endangered in the state of Ohio. To increase Ohio populations, conservation programs collect eggs from the wild and thousands of hellbenders have been successfully captive-reared and reintroduced to wild sites. However, mortality rates in captive hellbenders are highly variable and causes of mortality are poorly understood. Over a five-month period (November 2019 through March 2020), a high mortality rate (14%, 50/353) was observed in a captive population of hellbenders. Gross necropsies of 44 individuals revealed 86% (38/44) had cutaneous lesions (e.g. thick mucus layers, ulcerations, or white cottony aggregates). Histopathologic examination revealed cutaneous erosion, ulceration, or necrosis in 93% (41/44) of individuals. Bacteria was seen in 77% (34/44) and filamentous hyphae were seen in 68% (30/44) of individuals. Based on the presence of severe cutaneous disease in a large number of animals, we used 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the cutaneous bacterial microbiota of 116 live hellbenders from the same cohort group-housed in multiple tanks. We found variation in skin microbial diversity based on animal weight and tank location. This suggests that animals of different body weights exhibit microbial differences that may influence susceptibility to cutaneous and systemic disease and that local conditions influence skin microbial communities in hellbenders. Future research should investigate the influence of husbandry practices on the skin microbiome of hellbenders under human care and how skin microbiome is related to the presence of cutaneous and systemic disease. Ultimately, this research can be used to identify risk factors for disease development in order to prevent morbidity and mortality in Eastern hellbenders.
Mark Flint (Advisor)
Vanessa Hale (Committee Member)
Randall Junge (Committee Member)
99 p.
Pathology; Veterinary Services; Wildlife Conservation
Eastern hellbender; amphibian; salamander; pathology; microbiome; ex situ conservation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Aplasca, A. (2021). Pathologic Findings and Skin Microbiome Structure of Juvenile Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) Under Human Care During a High Mortality Event [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1620421622463734

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Aplasca, Andrea. Pathologic Findings and Skin Microbiome Structure of Juvenile Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) Under Human Care During a High Mortality Event. 2021. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1620421622463734.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Aplasca, Andrea. "Pathologic Findings and Skin Microbiome Structure of Juvenile Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) Under Human Care During a High Mortality Event." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1620421622463734

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.