<b>Research status and prospect of amphibian symbiotic microbiota</b>

Amphibians are the most severely threatened vertebrate group in terms of biodiversity. The microbiota that coexist in a mutualistic relationship with amphibians plays a crucial role in shaping their health status, reproductive efficiency, and environmental adaptability. The relationship between amphibians and microbiota is vital for understanding the causes of amphibian diseases and developing prevention and control techniques. This is significant for improving the effectiveness of amphibian diversity conservation. The main findings of this article are as follows: First, it provides an overview of the systematic assessment and analysis methods regarding the importance of amphibians and their symbiotic microbiota, and details the primary research techniques currently employed. Secondly, it discusses the impacts of environmental and biological factors on the characteristics of amphibian symbiotic microbial communities, including dimensions such as altitude, temperature fluctuations, and host dietary habits. Finally, the future directions of research on amphibian symbiotic microbiota are examined, with five recommendations presented: (1) Establish a comprehensive sample library and database of amphibians and their symbiotic microbiota to create a solid foundation for scientific research. (2) Explore the co-evolutionary paths between amphibians and symbiotic microbiota to clarify the dynamic evolutionary patterns and principles of their interactions. (3) Strengthen research on specific areas of amphibians, especially the microbial communities in the oral cavity and cloaca. (4) Enhance research on the symbiotic microbiota of the Gymnophiona. (5) Strengthen international cooperation to build cross-border research platforms and jointly promote the rapid development of global amphibian symbiotic microbiology. This article summarizes the current research progress on the interaction between amphibians and their symbiotic microbiota (not necessarily mutualistic) , and provides a forward-looking analysis of future research directions. It aims to provide rich background information for understanding the complexity of this symbiotic system, while also having significant value in enhancing the effectiveness of amphibian biodiversity conservation.