Schmidt Benedikt R.

Surveying endemic lines of an emerging pathogen

Project Number: CH-5145

Project Type:	Master
Project Duration:	04/01/2014 - 12/31/2014
Funding Source:	other ,
Leading Institution:	Universität Zürich
Project Leader:	Dr. Benedikt R. Schmidt Inst. für Evolutionsbiologie und Umweltwissenschaften Universität Zürich Winterthurerstrasse 190 - Irchel 8057 Zürich Phone: ; +41 (0) 44 634 11 11 FAX: +41 (0) 44 635 57 11 e-Mail: benedikt.schmidt(at)ieu.uzh.ch http://www.ieu.uzh.ch

related to this project.

for which the project has a relevance.

Research Areas:

Biodiversity

Disciplines:

general biology

Abstract:
Fungal pathogens are an emerging threat to humans, crops and biodiversity (Fisher et al. 2012). Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (hereafter Bd) is a pathogenic chytrid fungus which has caused mass mortalities and population declines of amphibians in the Americas and Europe. Bd has multiple lineages that differ in virulence (Farrer et al. 2011). Farrer et al. (2011) showed that there are three main clades: BdGPL, BdCape and BdCH. BdCape is a lineage that is found in South Africa and on Mallorca (where it was introduced). BdGPL is the lineage that is found all over the globe and which is associated with amphibian population declines. BdCH is a lineage that is endemic to Switzerland. This genotype was isolated from a pond near Zurich. Subsequent sampling in Baselland, Emmental and near Lucerne found only BdGPL in Switzerland (M. Fisher, personal communication). Schloegel et al. (2012) identified additional lineages from South America. Recent results by Rosenblum et al. (2013) question some of the earlier results and thereby highlight the fact that the evolutionary history of Bd is not yet sufficiently understood.

To better understand the history, phylogeography and emergence of Bd, it is important to learn more about the genetic diversity of this pathogen. The first goal of the master thesis is to describe the distribution of BdCH and to re-isolate the lineage. The second is to survey amphibian populations for Bd in southern Switzerland (Ticino) where Bd is known to occur since at least 1901 (Peyer 2010).

Publications:
SMITH Hannah Keely. 2015. Epidemiology of an amphibian pathogen: Distribution of an endemic lineage and distribution in an endemic island community. Masterthesis. Université de Lausanne.
pdf Masterarbeit


Last update: 11/10/22
Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
Update the data of project: CH-5145

Go Back