Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Sandel, Michael

Committee Member

Jordan, Heather

Committee Member

Benbow, M.

Date of Degree

8-7-2025

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Abstract

The Amazon Rainforest and Guiana Shield are recognized as two of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, particularly when considering macroorganisms. Relatively little attention has been paid to the microbiological diversity within rainforest ecosystems, or to the interactions among macro- and microbiological communities. To this end, I characterized the effects of habitat and host phylogenic parameters on the gut microbiome of freshwater fishes along the coast and within the Approuague River watershed in French Guiana. The results indicate a river continuum effect on the microbial composition of fishes, as well as a similar continuum pattern along the coast of French Guiana. Comparisons among host groups further reveal distinct differences in microbial community structure across host genera. These data were also used to detect Mycolactone producing Mycobacteria (MPMs), with the assay showing low detection of MPMs in the fishes during the study.

Sponsorship (Optional)

NSF

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