Temporal Variation in Microbiota Community Structure in Barton Springs Salamanders (Eurycea sosorum) and Austin Blind Salamanders (Eurycea waterlooensis)

The composition of cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and environmental samples of the Barton Springs salamander and Austin blind salamander was investigated using 16S rRNA and ITS gene amplicon sequencing. Both captive and wild populations of Barton Springs salamanders were monitored to determine captivity-influenced microbiota differences. The study spanned one year with four collection time points at four locations within the Edwards Aquifer to investigate the seasonal influence on the microbiome in Austin, Texas. We hypothesized that the wild and captive populations will vary in microbial abundance and richness, the environment and season will influence the microbiome, and the two species will have a similar composition.