Current
Research
Casey J. Bartkus
Graduate Student
Department of Biological Sciences
Marshall University
Project Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), otherwise known as the amphibian
chytrid fungus, has been linked to the declines of amphibian populations
worldwide. While chytrid has been found
in other states across the country, little is known of its occurrence in West
Virginia. Chytrid is highly associated
with amphibians in montane habitats; because West Virginia has the highest mean
elevation of any state east of the Mississippi River, amphibians in the state
are at high risk of an outbreak. The
goal of this study is to determine the status of chytrid in salamander species
of greatest conservation need in West Virginia.
For each species, I will sample three sites. When an individual is captured, I will swab
the ventral surface using sterile cotton and store in a vial of 70% ethanol
until analysis. Water temperatures above
26˚C
are lethal to Bd, therefore, soil, water, and
air temperature will be recorded at each site.
Samples are sent to Washington State University where real-time Taqman
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays are being used to detect the presence of
chytrid zoospores. Sites testing
positive for chytrid occurrence will be mapped to show the distribution of the
disease, which is essential for development of protocols that will aid managers
in reducing the spread of chytrid.
Selected Species
Cheat
Mountain Salamander (Plethodon nettingi)
Cow
Knob Salamander (Plethodon punctatus)
Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis)
West
Virginia Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus subterraneus)
Black-bellied
Salamander (Desmognathus quadramaculatus)
Black
Mountain Salamander (Desmognathus welteri)
Cave
Salamander (Eurycea lucifuga)
Adult
Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifuga)
from Buckeye Creek Cave, Greenbrier County, WV. Adult
Black Mountain Salamander (Desmognathus welteri)
from Camp Creek State Forest, Mercer County, WV.
If it is possible to locate 35 individuals,
Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) and Northern Green
Frogs (Rana clamitans melanota) will be sampled
from sites where the above-mentioned species are located. Both species are believed to be carriers of the chytrid fungus.
Adult
Cheat Mountain Salamander (Plethodon nettingi)
from Tucker County, WV.
Good hygiene is extremely important in this study. Special care is always taken to prevent the
spread of chytrid between individuals and between sites. New gloves are worn between each handled
individual, and all field equipment is sanitized between field sites to
prohibit the spread of this devastating disease. I encourage anyone that is working with
amphibians to practice good hygiene as well!
Check out Marshall University’s
Herpetology Lab Homepage for more details on hygiene and amphibian
research. Please feel free to e-mail me
at bartkus@marshall.edu with
any suggestions or concerns regarding this research.
Special thanks to Dr. Tom Pauley, my advisor at Marshall
University, and Joe Greathouse from The Good Zoo at Oglebay Park in Wheeling,
WV for the project proposal and assistance.
Also, special thanks to anyone that provided field assistance and
suggestions. Funding is provided by the
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and Marshall University Graduate
College.