Amphibian Chytrid Fungus Sampling in Arizona and Mexico Active

Information on disease presence can be of use to natural resource managers, especially in areas supporting threatened and endangered species that occur coincidentally with species that are suspected vectors for disease. A general sense of pathogen presence (or absence) can inform management directed at threatened and endangered species, especially in regions where disease is suspected to have caused population declines. In Arizona and Mexico the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), Chiricahua leopard frog (L. chiricahuensis) and Sonoran tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi) are species of interest for sampling and monitoring for chytrid infections. This work is being done in connection with the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative to survey for the possible presence of the salamander chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans).