First Report of the Chytrid Fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Chytridiomycota: Rhizophydiales) from Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer (Anura: Hylidae), in Western Arkansas

Authors

• C. T. McAllister, Northeast Texas Community College, Mt. Pleasant, TXFollow
• I. F. Standish, US Fish and Wildlife Service, OnalaskaFollow
• E. M. Leis, US Fish and Wildlife Service, OnalaskaFollow
• M. R. Rodriguez, East Texas A&M University, CommerceFollow
• G. Burrows, Texas A&M University, College StationFollow
• H. W. RobisonFollow

Keywords

Chytrid fungus, Pseudacris crucifer, Hylidae, Polk County, Spring Peepers

Abstract

Seven adult spring peepers, Pseudacris crucifer, were collected by hand during April 2024 from Polk County, Arkansas, and examined for the pathogens, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), and frog virus 3-like Ranavirus (FV3). Swabs from three of seven (43%) individuals tested positive for Bd: all P. crucifer were negative for the other two pathogens. In addition, no hosts showed any obvious pathological signs of infection and, as such, may represent Bd vectors.  This is the first time P. crucifer from Arkansas has been reported with Bd and increases the number of amphibian species in the state with Bd to five.

Recommended Citation

McAllister, C. T.; Standish, I. F.; Leis, E. M.; Rodriguez, M. R.; Burrows, G.; and Robison, H. W. (2026) "First Report of the Chytrid Fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Chytridiomycota: Rhizophydiales) from Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer (Anura: Hylidae), in Western Arkansas," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 79, Article 18.

Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol79/iss1/18