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Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

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DAO 102:181-186 (2013)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02561

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis haplotypes on the hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis are identical to global strains

Atsushi Tominaga1,*, Kelly J. Irwin2, Michael J. Freake3, Kazutaka Suzuki4, Koichi Goka

1Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Education, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 901-0213, Japan
2Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, 915 East Sevier Street, Benton, Arkansas 72015, USA
3Department of Natural Science and Mathematics, Lee University, 1120 Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tennessee 37311, USA
4Invasive Alien Species Research Team, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan

ABSTRACT: To determine whether the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) found on the hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis in the southern US is endemic or exotic, we identified the genetic type of this fungus using partial DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. We identified 3 genetic types, which are found on Japanese amphibians other than the Japanese giant salamander Andrias japonicus, a species that belongs to the same family (Cryptobranchidae) as hellbenders. The fungus collected from hellbenders exhibited low genetic diversity and matched the common Bd genetic types which have been detected from around the world. These results support that the chytrid fungus on the hellbender is a novel pathogen, as proposed by previous studies. Although we have not observed disease symptoms directly linked to this fungus on this endangered salamander, further evaluation of the influence of this exotic fungus on this species is warranted.


KEY WORDS: Cryptobranchidae · Chytridiomycosis · Chytrids · ITS · Novel pathogen hypothesis · North America


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Cite this article as: Tominaga A, Irwin KJ, Freake MJ, Suzuki K, Goka K (2013) Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis haplotypes on the hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis are identical to global strains. Dis Aquat Org 102:181-186. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02561

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