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Characterization of the First Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Isolate from the Colombian Andes, an Amphibian Biodiversity Hotspot

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Abstract

The pathogenic chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), constitutes a significant threat to more than 790 amphibian species occurring in Colombia. To date there is no molecular or morphological description of strains infecting Colombian populations. Here we report the genetic and morphological characterization of the first Colombian isolate of Bd (strain EV001). Our goals were threefold: (1) to characterize the morphology of EV001 using light and scanning electron microscopy, (2) to genotype this strain by direct sequencing of 17 polymorphic nuclear markers developed previously, and (3) to compare our findings with published reports on strains from other areas of the globe. We found that EV001 is morphologically consistent with previously described strains. Multi-locus genotyping suggested that EV001 is grouped genetically with Panamanian strains and is most similar to strain JEL203 isolated from a captive individual. This finding fills an important gap in our knowledge of Neotropical strains of Bd and provides a baseline for further evolutionary and functional analyses.

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Acknowledgments

This study was completed with financial support from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CRP-ICGEB) (CRP/COL09-01), the Fundación para la Promoción de la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Banco de la República (Project No 2635) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CEF 08-836). For assistance in the field we especially thank L. M. Arenas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 # 18A–10, Bogotá, Colombia

    S. V. Flechas, E. M. Medina, A. J. Crawford, C. Sarmiento, M. E. Cárdenas, A. Amézquita & S. Restrepo

  2. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Ancón, Republic of Panama

    A. J. Crawford & C. Sarmiento

Authors
  1. S. V. Flechas
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  2. E. M. Medina
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  3. A. J. Crawford
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  4. C. Sarmiento
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  5. M. E. Cárdenas
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  6. A. Amézquita
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  7. S. Restrepo
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to S. V. Flechas or S. Restrepo.

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S. V. Flechas and E. M. Medina contributed equally to this work.

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Flechas, S.V., Medina, E.M., Crawford, A.J. et al. Characterization of the First Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Isolate from the Colombian Andes, an Amphibian Biodiversity Hotspot. EcoHealth 10, 72–76 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-013-0823-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-013-0823-9

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