Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Assessing the interaction of stress physiology and Bd infection in Arizona tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium nebulosum)
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
Major
Biology / Watershed Studies
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Howard H. Whiteman; Dr. Andrea K. Darracq
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Amphibian biodiversity has greatly diminished in recent years due to disease. Panzootic pathogenic fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) causes the deadly disease chytridiomycosis (chytrid), a primary driver of catastrophic global amphibian declines and extinctions. The pathogenesis of chytrid is still unclear, as certain species and individuals within a species are differentially affected. Susceptibility and mortality of Bd are influenced by prolonged glucocorticoid activity, which deleteriously affects many of the same physiological processes as Bd infections. Corticosterone is the primary glucocorticoid released by amphibians in response to stress. Thus, the objective of our study is to assess the relationship of corticosterone variation and Bd spore load in Arizona tiger salamanders (ATS; Ambystoma mavortium nebulosum). We used a non-invasive skin swabbing method to collect baseline corticosterone from paedomorph (aquatic morph), metamorph (terrestrial morph), and larval (immature) ATS in June and July 2022. Baseline corticosterone samples were collected within three minutes of capture. Bd samples were then collected via skin swabbing. Biometrics for individual animals were measured, and abiotic environmental data collected. Additional Bd and corticosterone samples will be collected in summer of 2023, and will allow us to consider corticosterone and Bd spore load variation by morph, sex, location, and body condition. My study will provide a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of Bd and the interacting effects of glucocorticoid production and polyphenic life history on disease resistance. My results will develop the use of corticosterone as a predictor of Bd susceptibility and severity of infection.
Spring Scholars Week 2023 Event
Watershed Studies Institute Symposium
Other Scholars Week Event
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Assessing the interaction of stress physiology and Bd infection in Arizona tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium nebulosum)
Amphibian biodiversity has greatly diminished in recent years due to disease. Panzootic pathogenic fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) causes the deadly disease chytridiomycosis (chytrid), a primary driver of catastrophic global amphibian declines and extinctions. The pathogenesis of chytrid is still unclear, as certain species and individuals within a species are differentially affected. Susceptibility and mortality of Bd are influenced by prolonged glucocorticoid activity, which deleteriously affects many of the same physiological processes as Bd infections. Corticosterone is the primary glucocorticoid released by amphibians in response to stress. Thus, the objective of our study is to assess the relationship of corticosterone variation and Bd spore load in Arizona tiger salamanders (ATS; Ambystoma mavortium nebulosum). We used a non-invasive skin swabbing method to collect baseline corticosterone from paedomorph (aquatic morph), metamorph (terrestrial morph), and larval (immature) ATS in June and July 2022. Baseline corticosterone samples were collected within three minutes of capture. Bd samples were then collected via skin swabbing. Biometrics for individual animals were measured, and abiotic environmental data collected. Additional Bd and corticosterone samples will be collected in summer of 2023, and will allow us to consider corticosterone and Bd spore load variation by morph, sex, location, and body condition. My study will provide a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of Bd and the interacting effects of glucocorticoid production and polyphenic life history on disease resistance. My results will develop the use of corticosterone as a predictor of Bd susceptibility and severity of infection.