Surveillance of amphibian fungi in Italy: distribution of the pathogens and detection of their genetic lineages (2020-2022)
Řešitel: MSc. Roberto Chiara
Chytridiomycosis, an amphibian disease caused by the fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal), is declining amphibians worldwide. The recently discovered pathogen Bsal has severe impact on caudates throughout the western Europe. In our previous IGA projects, the first Bsal positives were recorded in Spain (20184247), but not in the CR (20174218), and a new method – environmental DNA (eDNA) – has been implemented in Bsal monitoring (20194201). Herein, we plan to compare a standard diagnostic tool (swabs + PCR) and eDNA (water sampling + PCR) within monitoring of both fungi in Italy. Further, we would like to identify the Bd lineage present in Sicily, where Bd probably has been introduced by Xenopus laevis, and to compare it with the strain(s) found in Italy. This can elucidate the ongoing spreading of Bd by its likely vector X. laevis. Invasive species acting as a source of emerging pathogens has great conservation significance and the results have a high publication potential.