Stenger P. L., Bonneville C. D., Anton-Leberre V., Cleguer C., Fauvelot Cécile, Garrigue Claire, Derville Solène, Majorel Clarisse. (2025). Exploring the skin Microbiome of free-ranging Dugong dugon in new Caledonia. Marine Biology, 172 (9), p. 139 [23 p.]. ISSN 0025-3162.
Titre du document
Exploring the skin Microbiome of free-ranging Dugong dugon in new Caledonia
The skin microbiome plays a vital role in the health of marine mammals, serving as a protective barrier and interacting with the host's immune system. There is limited knowledge about the skin microbiome of dugongs (Dugong dugon), a vulnerable species with declining groups due to anthropogenic threats. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the skin microbiome of free-ranging dugongs in New Caledonia using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results show that the dominant bacterial phyla on dugong skin are Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, and Campylobacterota. Within Bacteroidota, the genus Tenacibaculum - which includes known opportunistic pathogens - was notably the most relatively abundant. Among Pseudomonadota, Psychrobacter was the most dominant genus; although it may contribute to maintaining skin homeostasis, its overrepresentation has been associated with compromised health in other marine mammals. Additionally, the genera Arcobacter and Campylobacter, both belonging to Campylobacterota, include zoonotic species and may warrant future monitoring in dugong populations. Distinct variations were noted between sex, with females predominantly hosting Psychrobacter, while males had higher abundances of Kinneretia and Dasania. Our results align with emerging evidence that marine mammal skin microbiota are shaped by host-specific traits, environmental conditions, and geographic context. These findings provide a baseline for future research on the skin microbiome of dugongs and highlight potential indicators of health and disease in this species.
