Something in the water: Aquatic microbial communities influence the larval amphibian gut microbiota, neurodevelopment, and behavior

Microorganisms colonize the gastrointestinal tract of animals and establish symbiotic host-associated microbial communities that influence vertebrate physiology. More specifically, these gut microbial communities influence neurodevelopment through the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. We tested the hypothesis that larval amphibian neurodevelopment is affected by the aquatic microbial community present in their housing water. Newly hatched Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) tadpoles were raised in pond water that was unmanipulated (natural) or autoclaved. Tadpoles raised in autoclaved pond water had a gut microbiota with reduced bacterial diversity and altered community composition, had decreased behavioral responses to sensory stimuli, were larger in overall body mass, had relatively heavier brains, and had altered brain shape when compared with tadpoles raised in natural pond water. Further, the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota was associated with tadpole behavior..., , , # Something-in-the-Water

1. Title: **Aquatic microbial communities influence the larval amphibian gut microbiota, neurodevelopment, and behavior**

2. Author Information
A. Principal Investigator Contact Information
Name: Dr. Sarah Woodley
Institution: Duquesne University
Address: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Email:

B. Associate or Co-investigator Contact Information
Name: Kyle Emerson
Institution: Duquesne University
Address: Pittsburgh,PA USA
Email:

3. Date of data collection (single date, range, approximate date): 2021-2022

4. Geographic location of data collection: Pittsburgh, PA USA

5. Information about funding sources that supported the collection of the data: NIH grant P51 OD011092 for operation of the Oregon National Primate Research Center.

## SHARING/ACCESS INFORMATION

1. Links to publications that cite or use the data:

Emerson, Kyle; Woodley, Sarah (Forthcoming 2024). Something in the water: Aquatic microbial communities influenc...