Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Introduction

Electron micrograph of the Ebola Zaire virus. This was the first photo ever taken of the virus, on 10/13/1976. By Dr. F.A. Murphy, now at U.C. Davis, then at the CDC.

Fungal disease has emerged as an increasing threat to a number of different organisms, especially amphibian species. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a chytrid fungus that causes the infectious disease chytridiomycosis has been found to be the major cause of amphibian death caused by fungal infection. B. dendrobatidis infects the superficial, keratin-containing layers of amphibian skin. The infection then spreads across the skin, causing it to thicken and slough off. This thickening interferes with osmoregulation and eventually leads to death¹.It has been found to affect at least 93 amphibian species in frogs, toads (Anura) and salamanders (Caudata)². Evidence of B. dendrobatidis has been found worldwide and is believed to have originated in Africa and spread through the trade of Xenopus laevis³. B. dendrobatidis has been responsible for the epidemic illness and death of amphibian populations in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Central America, and the United States⁴.

Section 1

Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.

Section 2

Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.

Section 3

Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.

Conclusion

Overall paper length should be 3,000 words, with at least 3 figures.

References

1. Berger, Lee, et al. "Chytridiomycosis causes amphibian mortality associated with population declines in the rain forests of Australia and Central America." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 95.15 (1998): 9031-9036

2. Parris, Matthew J., and Joseph G. Beaudoin. "Chytridiomycosis impacts predator-prey interactions in larval amphibian communities." Oecologia 140.4 (2004): 626-632.

3. Berger, Lee, et al. "Virulence of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis varies with the strain." Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 68.1 (2005): 47.

4. Johnson, Megan L., and Richard Speare. "Survival of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in water: quarantine and disease control implications." Emerging Infectious Diseases 9.8 (2003): 922.

Edited by student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 238 Microbiology, 2009, Kenyon College.