Speed Presentation 2024 Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting combined with NZMSS

Bacterial genomic adaptation to sharks in a changing environment  (#508)

Emma Kerr 1 , Ryan Hesse 1 , Jessica Carlson-Jones 1 , Bhavya Nalagampalli Papudeshi 1 , Paul Butcher 2 , Michael Doane 1 , Elizabeth Dinsdale 1
  1. Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
  2. Department of Primary Industries, New South Whales Government, Coffs Harbour, New South Whales, Australia

Metagenomics has allowed us to study the microbiomes of wild organisms, like sharks, to describe the role microbes play in their health, development, and behavior Prominent members of shark microbial communities belong to Gammaproteobacteria including Pseudomonas, Marinobacter and Psychrobacter species. Microbes from sharks and rays from across the globe possess genes required for heavy metal tolerance. This suggests that microbes facilitate adaptation to high concentrations of heavy metals due to biomagnification. To explore the potential for microbes to mediate the effects of heavy metals across shark species we cultured bacteria from several species of sharks from different trophic levels (including great white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias). We also computationally reconstructed novel microbial genomes from short DNA fragments. We will compare microbial genomes across hosts to identify key genes that could help sharks adapt to their changing environment.