Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Thomas R. Sewell, Joyce E. Longcore, Matthew C. Fisher
Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a zoospore-forming aquatic fungus and the etiological agent of chytridiomycosis, a skin infection affecting all orders of amphibians. B. dendrobatidis emerged worldwide during the 20th century, causing a panzootic that has contributed to widespread declines in the abundance of at least 501 amphibian species and 90 presumed extinctions. The pathogen has a two-stage life cycle, whereby flagellate-motile zoospores seek out amphibians by means of chemotaxis before attaching, encysting, and developing intracellularly into zoosporangia, which gestate and discharge new zoospores.
Topics & Concepts
ChytridiomycosisZoosporeChytridiomycotaBiologyAmphibianFlagellateFungusFungal pathogenPathogenEcologyZoologyMicrobiologyBotanySporeAscomycotaBiochemistryGeneAmphibian and Reptile BiologyTurtle Biology and ConservationAquaculture disease management and microbiota