Bacteria on amphibian skin can help protect hosts from pathogens, but these microbial communities vary across environments and are little understood. Weitzman et al (2026) examined skin bacteria of coquí frogs (Eleutherodactylus coqui) in their native range (Puerto Rico) and introduced range (Hawaii) to understand how geography and habitat shape microbiomes. Bacterial communities differed among sites, with patterns becoming more similar within regions when analyzed at broader taxonomic levels. One Hawaiian site showed particularly distinct microbial composition. Despite this variation, a small set of core bacterial taxa was consistently found across locations, suggesting important functional roles and possible host selection. The results indicate that both environmental conditions and invasion history influence amphibian skin microbiomes, highlighting the complex factors shaping host-associated bacteria and their potential implications for amphibian health and conservation.

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