Incidence of Chytrid Fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, in Southeast Coast Network Parks

Byrne MW and Moore MN. 2011. Incidence of Chytrid Fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, in Southeast Coast Network Parks. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/SECN/NRTR—2011/477. National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. Fort Collins, Colorado

A chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been established as a causal factor in localized amphibian-population declines and extinctions around the world. The amphibian community in the Southeastern U.S. is widely considered to be one of the most diverse in the world, and is a valued resource in Southeast Coast Network (SECN) parks. In 2005, the SECN and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) began surveying for Bd occurrences in Chattahoochee National Recreation Area and Congaree National Park. Preliminary results indicated the fungus was present in these parks, which prompted further sampling efforts in other SECN parks. These efforts led to the identification of several new Bd occurrences, including the first record of Bd in Alabama and the first record in a species not known to host the fungus; results indicative of our current lack of knowledge of Bd distribution and species-specific susceptibility. The fungus was detected in four species: Lithobates catesbeiana (American bullfrog), Lithobates sphenocephalus (southern leopard frog), Lithobates palustris (pickerel frog), and Eurycea cirrigera (southern two-lined salamander). No evidence of the disease caused by Bd infection, chytridiomycosis, was observed. The objective of this initial survey was solely to document the occurrence of Bd within the SECN, therefore individual and population level effects remain unknown. Survey and monitoring efforts are ongoing to determine other species that are affected, and if Bd is having negative impacts on amphibian communities in the SECN.

Type
Published Report
Authors
Byrne, Michael; Moore, Marylou
Date of Issue
2011-08
Publisher
National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science
Units
CAHA , CALO , CANA , CASA , CHAT , CHPI , CONG , CUIS , FOCA , FOFR , FOMA , FOMO , FOPU , FORA , FOSU , HOBE , KEMO , MOCR , NRSS , OCMU , SECN , TIMU , WRBR
Keywords
Ambphibian Monitoring, Amphibian, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Chytrid Fungus, Southeast Coast Network

Full text (PDF)

Series

Collections

Browse the catalog