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Abstract Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd) is a pathogenic fungus that has devastated amphibian populations globally by causing the disease chytridiomycosis.Batrachochytrium dendrobatidisis capable of infecting non‐amphibian hosts, such as crayfish, and has been detected on reptile and bird species. Given the taxonomic heterogeneity in the known hosts and vectors of Bd, it is likely that there is a diversity of undiscovered non‐amphibian hosts of the fungus.Here, we investigated whether Bd could survive on freshwater snails (Physella acuta) andCladophoraalgae. We exposed small and large snails (n = 15 snails/size category),Cladophoraalgae (n = 5), and artificial spring water controls (ASW;n = 5) to live Bd. We also maintained Bd‐free control snails (n = 5 snails/size category) in ASW. All treatments were maintained for 7 weeks at 18°C. Mortality was checked three times a week, snails were weighed every 2 weeks, and 7 weeks after exposure, the snails, algae, and water were tested for Bd using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.We found that Bd did not grow on live snails, algae, or ASW long term. Additionally, live snails (n = 20) collected from Bd‐positive ponds in California were all negative for Bd, as well. Given that we found no Bd on the experimentally exposed or field swabbed snails, snails are probably not a reservoir host of Bd.While negative results are often not published, Bd is one of the deadliest pathogens on earth; it is essential to know what is and is not capable of maintaining Bd for well‐designed disease models.
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This content will become publicly available on April 1, 2026
First record of imposex in the horse conch, Triplofusus giganteus (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Fasciolariidae)
We report the first record of imposex in Triplofusus giganteus, a top predator in shallow water marine habitats. Imposex is an irreversible disorder in female caenogastropod snails caused by exposure to biocidal organotin compounds identified in vessel antifouling paints. The condition was observed in three of four snails collected from Alligator Harbor, Florida, with affected females developing a non-functional male reproductive organ, the pseudopenis. The presence of imposex is of particular concern for the long-term conservation of the species, given its slow maturation and limited reproductive output.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2001528
- PAR ID:
- 10629860
- Editor(s):
- Serafy, Joseph E; Araújo, Rafael J; Au, Jennifer L
- Publisher / Repository:
- Bulletin of Marine Science
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Bulletin of Marine Science
- Volume:
- 101
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 0007-4977
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 899 to 900
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Imposex conservation marine pollution Mollusca Gastropoda reproductive system histology
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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