Examination of microbiota associated with external lesions on native and endangered fishes of the San Juan River, NM and UT

Authors: Tracy Diver, Wade Wilson, Benjamin Schleicher

Year: 2016 (xlviii)

Abstract

Relatively little is known about how the severity and duration of pathogenic outbreaks affect fish populations; yet, health can often be directly linked to and dependent on the integrity of ecosystems. Recent field surveys have identified the occurrence of le sions on non-native, native, and endangered fishes in the San Juan River, NM and UT. Severity of lesions range from minor, irritant -like abrasions to gaping infected wounds. Infections appear to be pathogenic in origin; however, it is difficult to determine without further examination. We conducted a pilot study to examine the microbiota associated with fish exhibiting lesions. Bacterial swab s were collected in the field and then cultured in vitro. Isolated colonies were extracted and then sequenced using universal b acterial primers. Sequence data was compared to files accessioned to the National Center for Biotechnology Information to examine potential candidates causing pathogenicity.