Genetic lineages of chytrid fungus

A study finds interactions between multiple genetic lineages of the amphibian-killing chytrid fungus, including a previously unknown lineage widespread in Southeast Asia. The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, also called Bd, is a devastating, globally distributed pathogen. Susceptible amphibians succumb to the fungus' effects on skin functions, while resistant amphibians serve as reservoirs that spread the pathogen. Erica Bree Rosenblum and colleagues optimized a method to amplify and sequence noninvasive skin swab samples and characterize various genetic lineages of the chytrid fungus. The authors found that the globally distributed lineage BdGPL co-occurs with a previously unknown lineage, BdASIA3, which is widespread in Southeast Asia. The results also suggest that the range of the lineage BdCAPE has expanded and co-occurs with BdGPL. As lineages come into contact, genetic recombinations can create more virulent hybrids than parent lineages, resulting in additional threats to amphibians. The authors indicate the need for additional genetic data, particularly from locations where multiple chytrid fungus lineages come into contact. According to the authors, the optimized method used in this study suggests that archived skin swabs, rather than expensive field methods, can be used for the collection of future genetic data.

Article #19-08289: "Cryptic diversity of a widespread global pathogen reveals expanded threats to amphibian conservation," by Allison Q. Byrne et al.

MEDIA CONTACT: Erica Bree Rosenblum, University of California, Berkeley, CA; e-mail: rosenblum@berkeley.edu

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