Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is the deadly fungal pathogen that causes chytridiomycosis in amphibians.This disease attacks the skin and inhibits amphibians’ ability to respirate and osmoregulate, leading to death. It is thought to be the leading cause of population declines and extinctions of amphibians around the world. Amphibians have differing life histories. Some species hatch in waterways and metamorphose into terrestrial adults, who then return to waterways to breed, while other species remain terrestrial their entire lives. These differing life histories may be affecting the assemblage of their skin and gut microbiome - both of which have been shown to influence an animals chances of becoming infected with Bd, and its chances of survival if it does become infected. In this study microbiome swabs have been taken of both the skin and cloacas of Ensatina eschscholtzii (25 terrestrial individuals ), Taricha torosa (27 individuals, 20 aquatic, 7 terrestrial), Taricha granulosa (27 individuals, 8 aquatic, 19 terrestrial), Rana boylii (15 aquatic individuals), and Lithobates catesbeianus (15 aquatic individuals). All animals will also be swabbed to test for Bd. The resulting microbiome assemblages will be analyzed to compare individuals of the same species, individuals of different species with similar life histories, and individuals of different species with different life histories. The similarities and differences of these assemblages can then be used to determine if there are any links between these in individuals and populations that are suffering from Bd, and used to help determine what factors may help amphibians survive this pandemic.

Hi, my name is Raquel Reyes and I am a San Francisco State University Masters student in both Jaime Chaves and Vance Vredenburg's labs. I grew up on the gulf coast of of Baja California Sur in Mexico and have been interested in all manner of critters since I can remember. It wasn't until I moved to California as a teen that I discovered my love of amphibians - particularly newts and salamanders. I hope to continue in the herpetology field and to be able to work towards their conservation. This is my second Western Section meeting and my first time submitting an abstract for a poster presentation at any meeting. Even if it does not get accepted, I am really excited at the chance to present. Thank you for your consideration!