Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis prevalence in northern red-legged frogs (Rana aurora)--10 years later
Graduation Date
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Biology, 2012
Committee Chair Name
John Reiss
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Tadpoles, qPCR, Disease dynamics, Northern red-legged frog, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Biology, Frogs, Histology, Chytridiomycosis, Chytrid fungus
Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is an emerging pathogenic fungus of amphibians that has caused species decline and extinction worldwide. A decade ago, Nieto (2004) found that Bd existed in larval Rana aurora at a low (6.4%) overall prevalence throughout the coast of northern California. The primary goal of this research was to assess the current prevalence of Bd in the same populations of R. aurora. Both larvae and adults were sampled to better elucidate the dynamics of Bd infection in both life stages. All larval and adult R. aurora were non-lethally swabbed for qPCR analysis. Additionally, the same larval R. aurora were also processed for histological examination. Prevalence of Bd was consistently low, with no significant differences between studies or life stages. As in Nieto's (2004) study, oral anomalies remained a significant predictor of Bd infection in larval R. aurora. For Bd identification, molecular and microscopic diagnoses yielded nearly identical results. My results suggest that Bd may be endemic in these R. aurora populations.
Recommended Citation
Sun, Michael Cheng, "Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis prevalence in northern red-legged frogs (Rana aurora)--10 years later" (2012). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 1880.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/1880
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/mw22v7999