The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Georgia Veterinary Scholars Program

GVSP Summer 2009 Scholars

Georgia Veterinary Scholar

Faculty Mentor

Michaelle Purdee
University of Georgia
Class of 2012

Dr. Michael Yabsley
Southeastern Wildlife Disease Study

UGA College of Veterinary Medicine

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Red-spotted newts (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens)

* Michaelle Purdee1, Betsie Rothermel2, Debra L. Miller3, and Michael J. Yabsley1,4

1 Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA

2 Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, FL

3 Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Tifton, GA.

4 Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a worldwide emerging pathogen of amphibians, is responsible for the extinction of numerous species. Based on previous data of Bd in northeastern Georgia, we hypothesized that (1) Bd prevalence/burden will decrease as ambient temperatures increase, (2) Bd infection will not be correlated with body size or sex, and (3) PCR of swabs will be more sensitive for Bd detection compared to PCR or histology of toe clips. Newts were collected by hand, net, or funnel traps from two ponds in northeastern Georgia. Newts (n=96 unique individuals, n=26 recaptures) were collected every two weeks between May and July 2009. Newts were weighed, measured, sexed, swabbed along their ventral surface and hind limbs, toe-clipped based on an individual marking scheme, and released at the capture site. DNA extracted from the swab and a toe was tested for Bd by PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. The other toe was tested for Bd by histologic examination (H&E). To date, we have noted that prevalence of Bd decreased as ambient temperatures increased (90.5% in June and 30.5% in July). Several newts changed infection status from positive to negative during subsequent samplings. No correlation between infection status and sex, body length, and weight was noted. PCR on skin swabs demonstrated higher sensitivity for Bd detection (70.8%) as compared to PCR and histology on toe clips (64.5% and 7.3%, respectively). When finalized, qRT-PCR data will be used to determine if Bd loads among newts decrease with changes in ambient temperatures.