Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Reduced Itraconazole Concentration and Durations Are Successful in Treating Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection in Amphibians
Published on: March 14, 2014
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis haplotypes on the hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis are identical to global
Atsushi Tominaga1, Kelly J Irwin, Michael J Freake
1Department of Natural Sciences, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, 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.
More Related Videos
07:37Using Terminal Transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End-labelling (TUNEL) and Caspase 3/7 Assays to Measure Epidermal Cell Death in Frogs with Chytridiomycosis
Published on: May 16, 2018
10:23A Concoction Pipeline for Generating Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) Among Riparian and Aquatic Beetles
Published on: July 11, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Convergent Evolution
Diversity of Protists I
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Hyperthermophilic Bacteria
Diversity of Protists III
Hybrid Zones