Meeting Abstract

P2-37   -   Detection of salamanders and Chytrid Fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in North Texas using eDNA Berggren, B*; Goodavish, F; Nichols, K; Garcia, L; Austin College, Sherman, TX; Austin College, Sherman, TX; Austin College, Sherman, TX; Austin College, Sherman, TX lgarcia@austincollege.edu

Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection techniques are rapidly growing in popularity to detect and track animals, especially aquatic ones. eDNA detection techniques rely on extracting and detecting the small bits of DNA animals leave behind. These techniques have been shown to be extremely effective survey tools, especially alongside traditional survey methods. The focus of this project was to locate populations of two elusive amphibians: the Texas Smallmouth Salamander, Ambystoma texanum, and the Barred Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma mavortium, in Grayson County, TX. We also surveyed for one amphibian pathogen, chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which is widespread in other regions but its prevalence in north Texas is unknown. After extracting eDNA from soil or water samples, we used PCR to amplify amphibian and fungal DNA using species specific primers. We also surveyed for the presence of Blanchard’s Cricket Frog, Acris blanchardi, DNA to determine if our methods of eDNA extraction and PCR testing were effective in finding a common species. In the summer and fall of 2021, water samples and soil samples were collected and analyzed and here we outline our findings. Our overall goal is to further verify eDNA detection as an effective survey tool, map the populations of the above salamander species, and verify the presence or absence of chytrid fungus in north Texas. In addition to our results, we recognize that different sample collection methods or different DNA extraction methods may also demonstrate the presence of these animals where they have been historically observed.