Files
Abstract
Amphibians experience multiple abiotic and biotic stressors throughoutdevelopment. How these stressors interact with each other is complex and hard tounderstand, particularly when occurring in combination. To determine the interactions ofnatural hydroperiod length and amphibian pathogens, I studied ranavirus andBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in 20 wetlands on the Savannah River Site (SRS)in two Ambystomatid salamanders. I showed that during a 2 year study, presence andprevalence of both pathogens vary by year. I used a 2x2x2 factorial design to study theinteractions of copper, shortened hydroperiod, and exposure to ranavirus. I found thatsublethal impacts on growth due to exposure to a pathogen can occur, even withoutrecorded effects of other stressors. Our study highlights the need to include multi-yearsurveillance of amphibian populations, due to the potential annual pathogen dynamiccycles and sublethal effects of exposure to the pathogen in amphibians.