Meeting Abstract

128.3  Monday, Jan. 7  Temporal and spatial variation of cytridiomycosis across Batrachoseps attenuatus populations SETTE, CM*; VREDENBURG, VT; ZINK, AG; San Francisco State University; San Francisco State University; San Francisco State University carla.sette@gmail.com

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a highly virulent fungal pathogen which causes chytridiomycosis in amphibians. This rapidly-spreading disease is implicated in the decline and extirpation of amphibian populations throughout the world. Because the fungus’ flagellated zoospores spread by swimming through water or or along amphibians’ moist skin, it is considered an aquatic disease. However, it has recently been detected in completely terrestrial salamanders, such as the California slender salamander, Batrachoseps attenuatus. We used quantitative PCR to detect the presence of Bd in up to 20 randomly-selected individuals from seven decades and across twelve counties within B. attenuatus’ range. Results from these 1300 samples reveal temporal and spatial variation in the presence and infection intensity of Bd across populations. Because B. attenuatus is highly gregarious in its nesting behavior, we propose that social behavior may provide an opportunity for transmission of Bd.