Work

Experimental infection of North American plethodontid salamanders with the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: The presence in the southeastern USA of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a fungal pathogen of amphibians, is a potential threat to the diverse salamander assemblages in the region. In this study, we tested the susceptibility of plethodontid salamanders to infection with B. dendrobatidis. We experimentally infected one terrestrial species (Plethodon metcalfi) and one stream-dwelling species (Desmognathus monticola). Mortality of P. metcalfi due to B. dendrobatidis infection was 41.7% and was higher at 8 degrees C (75%) than at 16 degrees C (8.3%). B. dendrobatidis did not cause any mortality in D. monticola. Infected salamanders exhibited few of the clinical signs associated with B. dendrobatidis infection; however, they exhibited histologic signs of disease. Our results suggest that Plethodon species in the southeastern USA are at risk of becoming infected with B. dendrobatidis and developing chytridiomycosis. However, some animals may have survived with or cleared the infection. Additional studies are required to determine whether chytridiomycosis is a significant factor in declines of plethodontid salamanders.

Source: Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

DOI: 10.3354/dao02026

Authors: VM Vazquez, BB Rothermel, AP Pessier

Institutions: University of Georgia, Austin Peay State University, Zoological Society of San Diego, Archbold Biological Station

Language: English

Topic: Amphibian and Reptile Biology

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, University of Georgia, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service

Award: G9000050381