Abstract
The paper presents the results of studying the microflora of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) organism. Samples from 22 individuals were collected during three comprehensive scientific expeditions arranged in 2014 and 2015 at the request of PJSC Rosneft Oil Company. Based on the results of laboratory processing of the samples obtained, for the first time in the Russian history of studying the species, the species and quantitative composition of microorganisms in the oral cavity and conjunctiva of the polar bear’s eye was assessed. From the mucous membrane materials of the studied polar bear individuals, 91 isolates of microorganisms were obtained and identified up to 23 genera and species. These microorganisms were represented by both bacteria and microscopic fungi. Pathogenicity factors of the isolated microflora were determined: hemolytic properties, presence of plasma coagulase and lecithinase enzymes, virulence. The antibiotic resistance of the isolated microflora was assessed. The data obtained in the course of microbiological studies will not only help to determine the health status of the studied animals but can also be used in the future as one of the components of a comprehensive monitoring of the state of Arctic marine ecosystems.
Highlights
This paper presents the first results of a study of the microflora of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), carried out as part of a comprehensive study of the species in areas of prospective hydrocarbon development on the Russian Arctic shelf in order to develop effective measures to preserve the polar bear in a changing climate and growing economic development of the Arctic region
To determine the origin of bacterial isolates isolated from polar bears, we studied sensitivity of these microorganisms to antibacterial drugs used to treat infectious diseases in medical and veterinary practice [12]
When studying material taken from 4 polar bears during ‘Chukotka-Summer-2015’ expedition, the growth of microorganisms was observed in 87.5% of the crops
Summary
This paper presents the first results of a study of the microflora of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), carried out as part of a comprehensive study of the species in areas of prospective hydrocarbon development on the Russian Arctic shelf in order to develop effective measures to preserve the polar bear in a changing climate and growing economic development of the Arctic region.The polar bear is one of 5 mammal species included in the list of flora and fauna species that are indicators of the sustainable state of marine ecosystems in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation [5]. The biological properties of the isolated growths of microorganisms were studied in order to identify them [10, 11], as well as to assess the species and quantitative ratio in the sample.
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