Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans ELICITS ACUTE STRESS RESPONSE IN SPOTTED SALAMANDERS BUT NOT INFECTION OR MORTALITY.

ABSTRACT: The emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is a major threat to amphibian species worldwide with potential to infect many species if it invades salamander biodiversity hotspots in the Americas. Bsal can cause the disease chytridiomycosis, and it is important to assess the risk of Bsal-induced chytridiomycosis to species in North America. We evaluated the susceptibility to Bsal of the common and widespread spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, across life history stages and monitored the effect of Bsal exposure on growth rate and response of the stress hormone, corticosterone. We conclude that spotted salamanders appear resistant to Bsal because they showed no indication of disease or infection, and experi

SUBMITTER: Barnhart KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7566312 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature