Field Surveys for detection of Chytridiomycosis in North Georgia Amphibian Populations
Primary Faculty Mentor’s Name
Dr. N. L. Hyslop
Proposal Track
Student
Session Format
Poster
Abstract
Chytridiomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which is a contributing factor to global amphibian population declines. Although Bd is distributed globally, little research has been conducted on north Georgia’s amphibian populations despite reports of the fungus in the area. We surveyed for the presence of Bd in amphibian populations GA using active night searches and passive sampling techniques from spring 2013 through fall 2015. Sampling sites were located in the northeast Georgia Piedmont region at the Tumbling Creek Preserve, on the University of North Georgia Oakwood campus, Mill Creek Nature Center in Buford, GA and at Elachee Nature Center in Oakwood, GA. During night searches, amphibians were located in wetlands by listening to vocal calls and were captured by hand. We used poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) pipe traps set up in transects throughout the wetland for passive sampling during the day. Following captures, we collected environmental and physical data for each individual, swabbed the skin for Bd detection using sterile polyester tipped swabs, and released individuals back at their capture site. We changed gloves and disinfected equipment between captures and each sample site to minimize chances of contamination. Collected skin swabs were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to determine the presence of Bd. To date, PCR techniques have detected a positive Bd sample at the Tumbling Creek site from a Hyla cinerea (Green Treefrog) individual caught in a pipe trap. A species accumulation curve was also generated from the data to create a base line survey for all the species currently known at the sites. Sampling will continue, along with capture-mark-recapture tagging using Visible Implant Fluorescent Elastomer (VIE), throughout 2015-2016 to further contribute to conservation efforts and knowledge of Bd prevalence in the region. Capture-mark-recapture data will be analyzed in correlation with any positive Bd samples that are found.
Keywords
Chytridiomycosis, Bd, amphibians, conservation, sampling techniques, north Georgia, disease
Award Consideration
1
Location
Concourse and Atrium
Presentation Year
2015
Start Date
11-7-2015 10:10 AM
End Date
11-7-2015 11:20 AM
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Cruz, Spencer L., "Field Surveys for detection of Chytridiomycosis in North Georgia Amphibian Populations" (2015). Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (2014-2015). 29.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gurc/2015/2015/29
Field Surveys for detection of Chytridiomycosis in North Georgia Amphibian Populations
Concourse and Atrium
Chytridiomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which is a contributing factor to global amphibian population declines. Although Bd is distributed globally, little research has been conducted on north Georgia’s amphibian populations despite reports of the fungus in the area. We surveyed for the presence of Bd in amphibian populations GA using active night searches and passive sampling techniques from spring 2013 through fall 2015. Sampling sites were located in the northeast Georgia Piedmont region at the Tumbling Creek Preserve, on the University of North Georgia Oakwood campus, Mill Creek Nature Center in Buford, GA and at Elachee Nature Center in Oakwood, GA. During night searches, amphibians were located in wetlands by listening to vocal calls and were captured by hand. We used poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) pipe traps set up in transects throughout the wetland for passive sampling during the day. Following captures, we collected environmental and physical data for each individual, swabbed the skin for Bd detection using sterile polyester tipped swabs, and released individuals back at their capture site. We changed gloves and disinfected equipment between captures and each sample site to minimize chances of contamination. Collected skin swabs were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to determine the presence of Bd. To date, PCR techniques have detected a positive Bd sample at the Tumbling Creek site from a Hyla cinerea (Green Treefrog) individual caught in a pipe trap. A species accumulation curve was also generated from the data to create a base line survey for all the species currently known at the sites. Sampling will continue, along with capture-mark-recapture tagging using Visible Implant Fluorescent Elastomer (VIE), throughout 2015-2016 to further contribute to conservation efforts and knowledge of Bd prevalence in the region. Capture-mark-recapture data will be analyzed in correlation with any positive Bd samples that are found.
