Prevalence of a Chytrid Pathogen (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in Eastern Hellbender Salamanders in New York and Pennsylvania

摘要: OF THESIS Amphibian populations are currently declining globally. There many possible causes for these declines, among which an emerging infectious disease, chytridiomycosis, has been implicated. Chytridiomycosis in the U.S.A. is mainly caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. In this study, I used qPCR assays to detect existence of pathogen Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) Allegheny and Susquehanna River drainages New York Pennsylvania. Chytrid most often tested using skin swabs, but tail clips, dorsal skin, blood eggs were as well. dendrobatidis was detected clips although clip samples seemed have lower Bd detection sensitivities concentrations compared with swab samples. Only three out 41 that had positive swabs also very small did not result chytrid positives, despite a relatively high known rate infection 8.5% NY 2.4% PA (out 124 total) from taken early 2004 drainage. This shows archival samples, available genetic testing, may be detection. The (25 56.0% NY.