A survey for the presence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in Tasmania.

Abstract

A survey confirmed rhe presence of the amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in a number of frog habitats dose to major cities and towns across Tasmania.The detection of chytrid infection in some remote wetlands at high altitude locations on the Tasmanian Central Plateau is of particular concern. The likely presence of chytrid infections was assessed by examining tadpoles for signs of depigmentation, thinning and asymmetry in their keratinized jaw sheaths using a hand lens. Assessing the jaw shearhs of up to 60 tadpoles combined with rhe application of rhe Taqman chytrid PCR test was a useful means of detecting the presence of chytridiomycosis at each frog habitat