Epsiode 175. Chytrid vs the Mycovirus -with Mark Yacoub and Jason Stajich

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis or Bd is one of the most infamous agents of amphibian disease world wide. But did you know that there are multiple lineages other than the Global Panzootic Lineage and that the fungus can be affected by a virus?  New research involving the fungus and mycoviruses has shed a fresh light on the virulence of chyrid. In this episode I am joined by researchers Mark Yacoub  and  Jason Stajich  to discuss it.  We talk about mycology (the study of fungi) in general, as well as the specifics of what we have learned from the  mapping of the Bd genome. We also go on to discuss what can be learned about fungi and other microfauna living within the guts of wild and captive amphibians and how it can potentially help with their survival.

Exo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com and visit your local dealer. Follow @exoterra on all social media platforms!

To Support the Podcast, for merch, and vivarium discounts please visit: https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCast

To learn more, visit:
https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2024/04/03/discovery-could-end-global-amphibian-pandemic

https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)00244-6

https://herptilemicrobiomes.org/

https://lab.stajich.org/

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark-Yacoub

https://www.chytrids.org/