Microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari)
Abstract Background Animal-associated microbiomes can be influenced by both host and environmental factors. Comparing wild animals to those in zoos or aquariums can help disentangle the effects of host versus environmental factors, while also testing whether managed conditions foster a ‘natural’ hos...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Animal Microbiome |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-022-00187-8 |
| _version_ | 1818238578636881920 |
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| author | Ana G. Clavere-Graciette Mary E. McWhirt Lisa A. Hoopes Kim Bassos-Hull Krystan A. Wilkinson Frank J. Stewart Zoe A. Pratte |
| author_facet | Ana G. Clavere-Graciette Mary E. McWhirt Lisa A. Hoopes Kim Bassos-Hull Krystan A. Wilkinson Frank J. Stewart Zoe A. Pratte |
| author_sort | Ana G. Clavere-Graciette |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Animal-associated microbiomes can be influenced by both host and environmental factors. Comparing wild animals to those in zoos or aquariums can help disentangle the effects of host versus environmental factors, while also testing whether managed conditions foster a ‘natural’ host microbiome. Focusing on an endangered elasmobranch species—the whitespotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari—we compared the skin, gill, and cloaca microbiomes of wild individuals to those at Georgia Aquarium. Whitespotted eagle ray microbiomes from Georgia Aquarium were also compared to those of cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) in the same exhibit, allowing us to explore the effect of host identity on the ray microbiome. Results Long-term veterinary monitoring indicated that the rays in managed care did not have a history of disease and maintained health parameters consistent with those of wild individuals, with one exception. Aquarium whitespotted eagle rays were regularly treated to control parasite loads, but the effects on animal health were subclinical. Microbiome α- and β-diversity differed between wild versus aquarium whitespotted eagle rays at all body sites, with α-diversity significantly higher in wild individuals. β-diversity differences in wild versus aquarium whitespotted eagle rays were greater for skin and gill microbiomes compared to those of the cloaca. At each body site, we also detected microbial taxa shared between wild and aquarium eagle rays. Additionally, the cloaca, skin, and gill microbiomes of aquarium eagle rays differed from those of cownose rays in the same exhibit. Potentially pathogenic bacteria were at low abundance in all wild and aquarium rays. Conclusion For whitespotted eagle rays, managed care was associated with a microbiome differing significantly from that of wild individuals. These differences were not absolute, as the microbiome of aquarium rays shared members with that of wild counterparts and was distinct from that of a cohabitating ray species. Eagle rays under managed care appear healthy, suggesting that their microbiomes are not associated with compromised host health. However, the ray microbiome is dynamic, differing with both environmental factors and host identity. Monitoring of aquarium ray microbiomes over time may identify taxonomic patterns that co-vary with host health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T12:43:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-44889546388748febe94510de483c746 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2524-4671 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T12:43:53Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animal Microbiome |
| spelling | doaj.art-44889546388748febe94510de483c7462022-12-22T00:24:09ZengBMCAnimal Microbiome2524-46712022-05-014111510.1186/s42523-022-00187-8Microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari)Ana G. Clavere-Graciette0Mary E. McWhirt1Lisa A. Hoopes2Kim Bassos-Hull3Krystan A. Wilkinson4Frank J. Stewart5Zoe A. Pratte6School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of TechnologySchool of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Research and Conservation, Georgia AquariumSharks and Rays Conservation Research Program, Mote Marine LaboratorySharks and Rays Conservation Research Program, Mote Marine LaboratorySchool of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of TechnologySchool of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAbstract Background Animal-associated microbiomes can be influenced by both host and environmental factors. Comparing wild animals to those in zoos or aquariums can help disentangle the effects of host versus environmental factors, while also testing whether managed conditions foster a ‘natural’ host microbiome. Focusing on an endangered elasmobranch species—the whitespotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari—we compared the skin, gill, and cloaca microbiomes of wild individuals to those at Georgia Aquarium. Whitespotted eagle ray microbiomes from Georgia Aquarium were also compared to those of cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) in the same exhibit, allowing us to explore the effect of host identity on the ray microbiome. Results Long-term veterinary monitoring indicated that the rays in managed care did not have a history of disease and maintained health parameters consistent with those of wild individuals, with one exception. Aquarium whitespotted eagle rays were regularly treated to control parasite loads, but the effects on animal health were subclinical. Microbiome α- and β-diversity differed between wild versus aquarium whitespotted eagle rays at all body sites, with α-diversity significantly higher in wild individuals. β-diversity differences in wild versus aquarium whitespotted eagle rays were greater for skin and gill microbiomes compared to those of the cloaca. At each body site, we also detected microbial taxa shared between wild and aquarium eagle rays. Additionally, the cloaca, skin, and gill microbiomes of aquarium eagle rays differed from those of cownose rays in the same exhibit. Potentially pathogenic bacteria were at low abundance in all wild and aquarium rays. Conclusion For whitespotted eagle rays, managed care was associated with a microbiome differing significantly from that of wild individuals. These differences were not absolute, as the microbiome of aquarium rays shared members with that of wild counterparts and was distinct from that of a cohabitating ray species. Eagle rays under managed care appear healthy, suggesting that their microbiomes are not associated with compromised host health. However, the ray microbiome is dynamic, differing with both environmental factors and host identity. Monitoring of aquarium ray microbiomes over time may identify taxonomic patterns that co-vary with host health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-022-00187-8Microbial communityHost-associatedElasmobranchAquariumHost healthFish |
| spellingShingle | Ana G. Clavere-Graciette Mary E. McWhirt Lisa A. Hoopes Kim Bassos-Hull Krystan A. Wilkinson Frank J. Stewart Zoe A. Pratte Microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) Animal Microbiome Microbial community Host-associated Elasmobranch Aquarium Host health Fish |
| title | Microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) |
| title_full | Microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) |
| title_fullStr | Microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) |
| title_short | Microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) |
| title_sort | microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays aetobatus narinari |
| topic | Microbial community Host-associated Elasmobranch Aquarium Host health Fish |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-022-00187-8 |
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