Abstract Detail

Mycological Section

Dolan, Thomas [1], Dolan, Rebecca [2].

Genetic diversity among Saprolegnia ferax isolates infecting egg masses of the salamander Ambystoma texanum.

Oomycetes from the genera Achlya, Leptolegnia and Saprolegnia have been isolated from amphibian egg masses and have been implicated as one factor contributing to the decline of amphibian populations in North America. We routinely see infected egg masses of the small-mouthed salamander Ambystoma texanum in central Indiana and the majority of infections are associated with species of Saprolegnia. Some Saprolegnia spp. isolates from water samples and infected eggs do not produce oogonia and antheridia, making species assignment problematic, but others produce sexual structures and key to Saprolegnia ferax. Do water and egg isolates of S. ferax represent distinct strains maintained by clonal reproduction? We examined the usefulness of allozyme markers to detect genetic structure among S. ferax isolates inhabiting the breeding pools of A. texanum. Results show that egg and water isolates are genetically similar. However, there is one multilocus genotype that occurs at a significantly higher frequency on eggs. While allozyme profiles do not characterize a unique infectious strain of S. ferax, there does appear to be an aggressive strain associated with 72% of egg mass infections detected in this study. We are exploring the utility of SNP and SSR markers to assess genetic diversity and population structure of infectious strains of S. ferax.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Butler University, Biological Sciences, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46208, USA
2 - BUTLER UNIVERSTIY, Friesner Herbarium, 4600 SUNSET AVE, Indianapolis, IN, 46208, USA

Keywords:
oomycete
genetic diversity
population structure.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Grand Salon A - D/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PMY002
Abstract ID:670
Candidate for Awards:None