Meeting Abstract
Cownose rays, Rhinoptera bonasus, are migratory cartilaginous fish native to the western Atlantic. This species migratory patterns can bring it into conflict with humans. While their feeding ecology is not well defined, they are known to feed on mollusks and crustaceans. Current high-throughput sequencing technology offers the potential to gain more insight into the feeding ecology and the potential for impact of these rays on aquaculture. We apply this novel approach with an analysis of the contents and microbiome composition of these marine vertebrates. Cownose rays collected from Chesapeake Bay, Virginia and off the coast of North Carolina were dissected, and DNA samples were isolated from multiple prey items within the stomach and spiral valve. These samples were sequenced for the 16S ribosomal RNA gene in order to determine bacterial composition. The barcode region of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was also sequenced for identification of prey species. Gut microbial communities were highly diverse. Microbial composition was found to differ significantly by age, capture location, and time of year.
