Geological Survey

Description

The Western Ecological Research Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) partner for ¿Evaluating effects of altered plant diets by analyzing the gastrointestinal/fecal microbiome (lineages and community diversity) present in the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and other wildlife¿. This project is aimed at understanding the negative consequences of altered diets by evaluating how potential changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota may influence the growth, health, and immune function of juvenile tortoises. Building from previous work, the USGS and its partners will conduct a small pilot diet experiment designed to address these questions. Juvenile tortoises will be housed in out-door predator proof enclosures and fed a diet of either invasive grass (Bromus rubens) or a mixture of native forb plants. Juveniles will be evaluated for changes in body mass, shell growth, body and clinical condition, and survivorship each month. Fecal scat samples will be analyzed by high-throughput sequencing technology. Samples and data from this project will also be analyzed using a library of biological health information on tortoises and environmental covariates that is maintained by USGS and will continue to be developed as part of this collaboration. By analyzing microbiome data and the influence of tortoise diet, we can explore opportunities to identify and quantitatively measure molecular and cellular responses that may be changing as a result of landscape disturbance, altered plant diets, and other environmental stressors. These experiments may include, but are not limited to, the analysis of gastrointestinal/fecal microbiome data from Mojave desert tortoises foraging on invasive, native, and commercial plant diets. Other health classifications may be considered as the work proceeds

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Faith Graves 703-648-7356<br/>fgraves@usgs.gov
fgraves@usgs.gov