Population genetics of the frog-killing fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.
Global amphibian decline by chytridiomycosis is a major environmental disaster that has been attributed to either recent fungal spread or environmental change that promotes disease. Here, we present a population genetic comparison of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis isolates from an intensively studied region of frog decline, the Sierra Nevada of California. In support of a novel pathogen, we find low diversity, no amphibian-host specificity, little correlation between fungal genotype and geography, local frog extirpation by a single fungal genotype, and evidence of human-assisted fungus migration. In support of endemism, at a local scale, we find some diverse, recombining populations. Therefore neither epidemic spread nor endemism alone explains this particular amphibian decline. Recombination raises the possibility of resistant sporangia and a mechanism for rapid spread as well as persistence that could greatly complicate global control of the pathogen.
Morgan
Jess A T
JA
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. jessica.morgan@dpi.qld.gov.au
Vredenburg
Vance T
VT
Rachowicz
Lara J
LJ
Knapp
Roland A
RA
Stice
Mary J
MJ
Tunstall
Tate
T
Bingham
Rob E
RE
Parker
John M
JM
Longcore
Joyce E
JE
Moritz
Craig
C
Briggs
Cheryl J
CJ
Taylor
John W
JW
D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000382:microbiology*; D002140:California; D008411:Chytridiomycota / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary
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