Name
Measuring the Effect of Ultraviolet B Light on the Skin Microbiome of Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
Speakers
M. Graciela Aguilar, LSU
Mark Mitchell, LSU SVM
Helen Rhim
Ashleigh Godke, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Ariana Tashakkori
Mark Mitchell, LSU SVM
Helen Rhim
Ashleigh Godke, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Ariana Tashakkori
Description
With 41% of amphibian species at risk of extinction, ex situ conservation has become essential for their survival. However, key aspects of their husbandry, such as the role of ultraviolet B (UVB) light, remain poorly understood. UVB is critical for vitamin D synthesis and calcium metabolism, yet its specific effects on amphibians health, including skin microbiome dynamics and ocular health, are not well described. This experimental study aimed to evaluate the impact of UVB exposure on the skin microbiome and ocular health of ex situ red-eyed tree frogs (Agalychnis callidryas). The main objective was to expose 5 frogs to UVB light (at a maximum 1.6 Ferguson scale UVB index) for 12 hours daily over 90 days, simulating a natural 12-hour photoperiod, while a control group (n=5) received the same duration of non-UVB lighting. Skin swabs and ocular examinations were collected before and after the trial. It was hypothesized that UVB exposure would reduce skin microbiome diversity and induce mild ocular changes. The results showed that frogs under the UVB had a slight reduction in bacterial and fungal richness after the trial compared with baseline, but overall alpha and beta diversity indices were not significantly different. These results suggest that there is a natural stabilization or selection of skin microbial communities under captive conditions rather than an effect of UVB exposure. Similarly, ocular examinations revealed no significant evidence of UVB related pathologies between groups over time.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)