Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Publication Date

Spring 2024

College

Sciences and Mathematics, College of

Department

Biology, Department of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Chase Kinsey

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a well-known fungus that has been linked to the spread of the disease Chytridiomycosis (Chytrid) among frog populations all over the world. Chytrid fungus disrupts the ion exchange channels in both epithelial and muscular tissues, leading to lower swimming and climbing abilities. However, the causal agent of Bd that results in the symptoms associated with chytrid is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine if frog endurance would be impaired as a result of n injection with Bd supernatant, suggesting that a neurotoxin is causing the symptoms associated with chytrid in infected frogs. We hypothesized that a neurotoxin is responsible for changes in locomotor performance, and we predict lower velocity, endurance, and nonstereotyped behavior in frogs inoculated with Bd supernatant. As a biological assay, the African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis, were inoculated with a Bd supernatant and were compared to a control group. Frogs were placed in a tank and filmed performing an escape response using high speed dorsal and laterally placed cameras. Average maximal velocity and escape angles were measured using a custom script in MATLAB. Endurance was determined as the difference in performance between the initial escape response and the final escape response in each trial. Preliminary data suggests the absence of a neurotoxic effect on Xenopus as there was no difference in velocity, endurance, and escape behavior between our two groups. Future studies will address neurotoxicity in other, more susceptible frog species. Overall, our study provides insight into what mechanisms may or may not be leading to such high mortality rates in frogs when infected with Chytridiomycosis.

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