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Project T-103-R1

Project Title: Survey and Risk Assessment of the Salamander-killing Chytrid Fungus in Illinois

Community and/or Species Focus:

 Salamanders, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal)

Goals/Objectives:
  1. Quantify prevalence and intensity of infection by Bsal in both native and captive Illinois salamander populations
  2. Determine the geographic distribution of Bsal in Illinois
  3. Identify potential routes of pathogen introduction and provide recommendations to avoid its spread
  4. Assess the susceptibility to infection for salamander SGCN
  5. Quantify prevalence and intensity of infection by B. dendrobatidis and Ranavirus
Achievements:
  1. ​Determination if Bsal occurs in Illinois, in which species, and where
  2. Determination of the severity of Bsal for the Ambystoma SGCN
  3. Determination of the levels of Bsal infection that are associated with high mortality in Ambystoma
  4. Determination of the prevalence, intensity, and distribution of Bd and Rv in Illinois salamanders

Post-Project Survey (if applicable): n/a

Project Period: December 2015 - January 2019

Principle Investigator(s):

 Alessandro Catenazzi (Southern Illinois University Carbondale)

Final Report:

T-103-R1