Occurrence of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the Pacific Northwest.

Abstract

Chytridiomycosis (infection by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) is an emerging pathogen of amphibians that is associated with declines in at least four continents. We report results of disease screens from 271 field-sampled amphibians from Oregon and Washington. Chytridiomycosis was detected on 5 of 7 species and from 31 percent of all smaples, including sensitive species western toad (Bufo boreas), northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora), and Oregon spotted frog (R. pretiosa). We also detected chytridiomycosis in nonnative bullfrogs (R. catesbeiana) in western and central Oregon. Further research into the origin, virulence, transmissibility, and interactions with other stressors is needed to gauge its potential impact on northwestern amphibians.

Citation

Pearl, C.A.; Bull, E.L.; Green, D.E.; Bowerman, J.; Adams, M.J.; Hyatt, A.; Wente, W.H. 2007. Occurrence of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the Pacific Northwest. Journal of Herpetology. 41(1): 145-149