Detection of Chytridiomycosis From Field Samples in North Georia Ampphibian Populations

Chytridiomycosis, caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dentrobatidis (Bd) is an infectious dermatological disease contributing to global catastrophic declines in some amphibian populations (Berger et al. 1998). Ouellet et al. (2015) observed high prevalence of chytrid infection in North American amphibian population. Chytrid targets the keratinized skin cells leading to hyperkeratosis (thickening of the skin). Frogs and salamanders depend on their thin, permeable skin for respiration, hydration, osmoregulation and thermoregulation (Duellman and Trueb, 1986). The chytrid fungus is sporadically fatal as the skin is impaired to transport important nutrients necessary for the amphibian’s survival. This phenomenon has been described for a long time; however, the mechanism of this infection is still unclear. This study focuses on laboratory detection techniques of skin swabbed samples from wild amphibians caught from Northern Georgia Piedmont region. In this study, nested PCR is utilized instead of PCR for higher specificity and sensitivity in detecting even the smallest level of Bd infections. This will help us determine if amphibians at these three sites are experiencing infections from Bd