Aerobic Bacterial Microbiota Isolated from the Cloaca of the European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) in Poland

Abstract

We conducted a comparative analysis of the aerobic cloacal bacteria of European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) living in their natural environment and juvenile turtles reared under controlled conditions in a breeding center. We included 130 turtles in the study. The aerobic bacteria isolated from the cloaca of the juvenile turtles were less diverse and more prevalent than the bacteria isolated from free-living adults. We isolated 17 bacterial species from juvenile captive turtles, among which the dominant species were Cellulomonas flavigena (77/96), Enterococcus faecalis (96/96), Escherichia coli (58/96), and Proteus mirabilis (41/96). From the adult, free-living turtles, we isolated 36 bacterial species, some of which are a potential threat to public health (e.g., Salmonella enterica serovars Newport, Daytona, and Braenderup; Listeria monocytogenes; Yersinia enterocolitica; Yersinia ruckeri; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Vibrio fluvialis; and Serratia marcescens), and pathogens that are etiologic agents of diseases of ectothermic animals (e.g., Aeromonas sobria, Aeromonas caviae, Hafnia alvei, Edwardsiella tarda, and Citrobacter braakii; the last two species were isolated from both groups of animals). The cloacal bacterial biota of the European pond turtle was characterized by numerous species of bacteria, and its composition varied with turtle age and environmental conditions. The small number of isolated bacteria that are potential human pathogens may indicate that the European pond turtle is of relatively minor importance as a threat to public health.

Significance and Roles of Proteus spp. Bacteria in Natural Environments

“…There was no correlation observed between the turtles and seawater bacteria composition, so it was suggested that Proteus bacteria should be treated as the physiological microflora of green turtles [127]. P. mirabilis was also commonly found as inhabiting the cloaca of European pond turtles ( Emys orbicularis ), especially captive ones, from Poland [102]. P. vulgaris was the predominant species, and some P. mirabilis strains were also identified in cloacal and oral swabs of loggerhead sea turtles ( Caretta caretta ) inhabiting the Sicilian Channel, the South Tyrrhenian Sea, and the Ionian Sea [42].…”

Yersinia ruckeri —A threat not only to rainbow trout

“…The presence of Y. ruckeri was also observed in reptiles. Nowakiewicz et al (2015), carried out a study where the cloaca flora of 130 mud turtles was tested. Yersinia ruckeri was isolated in two of the specimens (Nowakiewicz et al, 2015).…”

Gut microbiota isolated from the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and its antimicrobial resistance

“…This species has a high risk of extinction, and it is under legal protection and covered under the Natura 2000 project (Nowakiewicz et al 2015). In Lithuania, the European pond turtle has been under legal protection since 1976 and is listed as an endangered species in the Lithuanian Red Book.…”

“…These are frequent -particularly in individuals kept in breeding centers (Glazebrook andCampbell 1990, Oros et al 2005). Although water-dwelling species might have intrinsic immunity against various pathogens, turtles are carriers of different bacterial species including pathogenic ones (Nowakiewicz et al 2015). The most prevalent bacterial species found in free-living European pond turtles in neighboring Poland were Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp., i.e.…”

“…The most prevalent bacterial species found in free-living European pond turtles in neighboring Poland were Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp., i.e. bacteria that are common in many avian and mammal species including humans (Nowakiewicz et al 2015).…”