PRESENCE AND PREVALENCE OF BD (BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS) IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIAN WOODLAND VERNAL POOLS

Authors

  • Kristin S. Coury Department of Biological Sciences, Messiah College
  • Brennan A. Neal Department of Biological Sciences, Messiah College
  • Michael J. Shin Department of Biological Sciences, Messiah College
  • Erik D. Lindquist Department of Biological Sciences, Messiah College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17161/jnah.vi1.11912

Abstract

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a virulent chytrid fungus responsible for dramatic amphibian declines, has been detected in the northwestern and southeastern regions of Pennsylvania. However, little environmental Bd testing has been performed in central Pennsylvania, particularly in the unique and speciose habitats of woodland vernal pools. Our study included sampling in four vernal pools over a period of three months during amphibian breeding periods. Skin swabs were taken from three caudate and two anuran species, during the course of late winter and spring migrations (n = 143). Low Bd zoospore equivalent loads were detected in only a few individuals, in three of the five species but in all four vernal pools sampled. No significant trends were seen between zoospore loads and ambient temperature or migration timing across the species sampled.

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Published

2016-07-05

How to Cite

Coury, K. S., Neal, B. A., Shin, M. J., & Lindquist, E. D. (2016). PRESENCE AND PREVALENCE OF BD (BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS) IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIAN WOODLAND VERNAL POOLS. Journal of North American Herpetology, 1, 11-14. https://doi.org/10.17161/jnah.vi1.11912