Abstract
Dermatomycosis is the second major cause of morbidity in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), and seriously endangers its health. Previous observations indicated that the occurrence of dermatomycosis in the giant panda varies in different seasons. The skin microbiota is a complex ecosystem, but knowledge on the community structure and the pathogenic potentials of fungi on the skin of the giant panda remains limited. In this study, samples from the giant panda skin in different seasons were collected, and the mycobiota were profiled by 18S rRNA gene sequencing. In total, 375 genera in 38 phyla were detected, with Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Streptophyta, and Chlorophyta as the predominant phyla and Trichosporon, Guehomyces, Davidiella, Chlorella, Asterotremella, and Klebsormidium as the predominant genera. The skin mycobiota of the giant panda changed in the seasons, and the diversity and abundance of the skin fungi were significantly higher in spring, autumn, and summer than in the winter. Several dermatomycosis-associated fungi were detected as opportunists in the skin mycobiota of healthy giant pandas. Clinical dermatomycosis in the giant panda is observed more in summer and autumn. In this study, the results indicated that the high diversity and abundance of the skin fungi may have enhanced the occurrence of dermatomycosis in autumn and summer, and that dermatomycosis-associated fungi are the normal components of the skin mycobiota.
Highlights
Dermatomycosis is the second cause of morbidity in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), after gastroenteritis, and seriously endangers their health [1, 2]
Several fungi have been found to be conditionally associated with dermatomycosis of giant pandas, including Candida spp., Cladosporium cladosporioides, Microsporum gypseum, Mucor spp., Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichosporon spp. [5, 7,8,9,10,11]
For example, showed that the canine skin was dominated by genera Alternaria and Cladosporium [25]; the feline skin was dominated by genera Cladosporium and Alternaria [15]; and the human skin was dominated by Malassezia [26]
Summary
Dermatomycosis is the second cause of morbidity in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), after gastroenteritis, and seriously endangers their health [1, 2]. Animal and human skin is a complex ecosystem, colonized by numerous microbes of various beneficial or pathogenic potentials [3]. It is a critical interface between the body and its external environment, which prevents the loss. Dermatomycosis is challenging to treat due to the extended duration of treatment required, with short-term treatment unlikely to achieve resolution. It damages the skin and hair of giant pandas and, affects the growth and appearance of the hair coat [5]. Sufficient knowledge on the community structure and the pathogenic potentials of fungi on the skin of the giant panda remains lacking
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