Biotic factors include water and sediment microbial communities and the presence of the pathogen B. Dendrobatidis. In addition, through metagenomics and bacterial culturing, we are assessing the functional capacities of skin bacteria such as antifungal effects and biofilm formation.
We are also describing for the first time the prevalence and infection intensity of B. Dendrobatidis across populations, seasons and across development. We are analyzing the influence of this pathogen on the skin microbiome, but we are also evaluating the effect of this pathogen in this highly threatened species.