title: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis haplotypes on the hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis are identical to global strains.
abstract: To determine whether the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) found on the hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis in the southern US is endemic or exotic, we identified the genetic type of this fungus using partial DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. We identified 3 genetic types, which are found on Japanese amphibians other than the Japanese giant salamander Andrias japonicus, a species that belongs to the same family (Cryptobranchidae) as hellbenders. The fungus collected from hellbenders exhibited low genetic diversity and matched the common Bd genetic types which have been detected from around the world. These results support that the chytrid fungus on the hellbender is a novel pathogen, as proposed by previous studies. Although we have not observed disease symptoms directly linked to this fungus on this endangered salamander, further evaluation of the influence of this exotic fungus on this species is warranted.
authors: Department of Natural Sciences, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan.
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Tominaga
authors: Kelly J
authors: KJ
authors: Irwin
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Freake
authors: Kazutaka
authors: K
authors: Suzuki
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Goka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001131:Arkansas; D001483:Base Sequence; D008411:Chytridiomycota / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013045:Species Specificity; D013714:Tennessee; D014562:Caudata
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal