Comparative analysis of skin bacterial diversity and its potential antifungal function between desert and pine forest populations of boreal toads Anaxyrus boreas

In this study, we compared the skin bacterial diversity and Bd infection levels of A. boreas in one desert population and one pine forest population from Baja California, Mexico. We found that desert and pine forest toad populations exhibit differences in skin bacterial community structure but show similar low Bd infection levels. Using a predictive method, we found that the abundance of bacteria with potential anti-Bd properties differed between uninfected and infected individuals from both populations. Our data suggest that differences at the host population level living in contrasting environments may be influencing skin bacterial communities and the presence of anti-Bd bacteria, but without directly influencing Bd infection status.