Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae and other bacteria from turtle farming environments were found to be resistant to high concentrations of gentamicin and to other antibiotics. This study identified the genes contributing to the resistance phenotypes observed in diverse bacteria, and explored the molecular elements involved in their dissemination. Cloning and sequencing of the gentamicin resistance genes revealed the presence of aminoglycoside acetyltransferase genes aac(3)IIa and aac(3)VIa. The antibiotic resistance determinants were transferred by conjugation and transformation from...