Meeting Abstract

86.4  Monday, Jan. 6 10:45  Comparative microbial community diversity in the upper respiratory tract across Gopherus tortoise species WEITZMAN, C.L.*; SANDMEIER, F.C.; SNYDER, S.J.; TRACY, C.R.; University of Nevada, Reno; Lindenwood University, Belleville, IL; University of Nevada, Reno; University of Nevada, Reno weitzman.chava@gmail.com

Of the five Gopherus tortoise species, all but the Texas tortoise are federally listed, in some capacity, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. An upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) has been implicated as a cause of population declines in both the gopher tortoise (G. polyphemus) and Mojave desert tortoise (G. agassizii), and URTD has been detected in the other three Gopherus species (G. morafkai, G. berlandieri, and G. flavomarginatus). URTD is associated with mycoplasmal and Pasteurella bacteria (as well as other pathogens), and it is unknown if disease is associated with co-infections. Additionally, very little is known generally about the microbial communities present in Chelonians. Here, we report on a study using nasal flush samples from each species of North American Gopherus tortoise in a large-scale comparative study on microbial communities. Next-generation sequencing was used to quantify diversity of bacteria and archaea, as well as presence of specific disease-related bacteria. Results presented will include comparisons in upper respiratory tract microbes among tortoise species and between individuals in a species, in addition to presence of pathogens associated with URTD.