Describing the microbiome of an ecologically relevant species, Lagodon rhomboides 

The pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) is a keystone species within the marine ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico and Western Atlantic Ocean. Despite overwhelming evidence that microbial communities play a major role in host health and fitness, there is a wide knowledge gap concerning the microbiome of aquatic organisms. As environmental stressors–mainly temperature–continue to threaten aquatic organisms over time, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the full extent of their influence on fish. Temperature has shown to be the main threat to microbial diversity within the fish gut and skin. In order to better understand how environmental stressors influence fish, we need baseline assessments of microbial diversity. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the microbes present in the skin, gills, and guts of pinfish via the 16S gene. This research is important as it opens the gate to studies that can determine how the microbiome changes at increased temperatures, allowing scientists a chance to fully understand how rising sea temperatures will affect organisms. The pinfish, as a keystone species, also provides the opportunity to understand how whole ecosystems will be impacted by environmental stressors in the future.