Undergraduate research project uncovers a novel strain of amphibian chytrid fungus in the Northeastern United States

Investigation of the genetic variation of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd or chytrid fungus) in New Hampshire (NH) in the northeastern U.S. has shown the presence of genetic mutations which are currently undocumented in the literature. DNA was collected as part of a long-term monitoring project in New Hampshire to test for the presence of Bd in amphibian populations. In this monitoring project, we are detecting the presence of Bd in multiple populations, but the observed amphibians do not appear to have increased mortality or other symptoms related to the fungus. To further investigate the strain of Bd affecting NH amphibians, we sequenced samples that were collected in 2019, as part of your yearly monitoring effort. Utilizing the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and sequences available on GenBank, we found that there are two different strains of chytrid in the observed NH amphibians. These strains are similar to strains noted previously in New England, but exhibit unique point mutations and in one case, a deletion. These variations could affect the impact that Bd has on amphibians in this region, and therefore could contribute to a better understanding of the variation in strains of chytrid and how they impact amphibian populations around the world. This study highlights the importance of monitoring efforts conducted at smaller, non-research institutions and we encourage other small institutions to take up similar monitoring efforts for Bd or other national or global conservation concerns.