title: Population genetics of the frog-killing fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. jessica.morgan@dpi.qld.gov.au
authors: Jess A T
authors: JA
authors: Morgan
authors: Vance T
authors: VT
authors: Vredenburg
authors: Lara J
authors: LJ
authors: Rachowicz
authors: Roland A
authors: RA
authors: Knapp
authors: Mary J
authors: MJ
authors: Stice
authors: Tate
authors: T
authors: Tunstall
authors: Rob E
authors: RE
authors: Bingham
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: Parker
authors: Joyce E
authors: JE
authors: Longcore
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Moritz
authors: Cheryl J
authors: CJ
authors: Briggs
authors: John W
authors: JW
authors: Taylor
mesh_terms: 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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