Amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in coastal and montane California, USA Anurans

Herpetological Conservation and Biology
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

We found amphibian chytrid fungus (Bd = Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) to be widespread within a coastalwatershed at Point Reyes National Seashore, California and within two high elevation watersheds at Yosemite NationalPark, California. Bd was associated with all six species that we sampled (Bufo boreas, B. canorus, Pseudacris regilla, Ranadraytonii, R. sierrae, and Lithobates catesbeianus). For those species sampled at 10 or more sites within a watershed, thepercentage of Bd-positive sites varied from a low of 20.7% for P. regilla at one Yosemite watershed to a high of 79.6% forP. regilla at the Olema watershed at Point Reyes. At Olema, the percent of Bd-positive water bodies declined each year ofour study (2005-2007). Because P. regilla was the only species found in all watersheds, we used that species to evaluatehabitat variables related to the sites where P. regilla was Bd-positive. At Olema, significant variables were year, length ofshoreline (perimeter), percentage cover of rooted vegetation, and water depth. At the two Yosemite watersheds, waterdepth, water temperature, and silt/mud were the most important covariates, though the importance of these three factorsdiffered between the two watersheds. The presence of Bd in species that are not declining suggests that some of theamphibians in our study were innately resistant to Bd, or had developed resistance after Bd became established.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in coastal and montane California, USA Anurans
Series title Herpetological Conservation and Biology
Edition 12
Volume 6
Issue 3
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher Herpetological Conservation and Biology
Contributing office(s) National Wildlife Health Center, Western Ecological Research Center
Description 12 p.
First page 383
Last page 394
Country United States
State California
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details