Amphibian Disease Surveys

In an effort to better understand the distribution and effect of emerging infectious diseases on the incredibly diverse amphibian assemblages, the Atlanta Botanical Garden has been conducting field surveys throughout the state of Georgia. Garden staff and volunteers travel to sites looking for frogs and salamanders and testing them for diseases.

The southeastern United States is known as a region of high amphibian diversity. Georgia has over 50 species of salamanders and 30 native frogs (plus one introduced species). However, the presence of an emergent infectious disease, chytridiomycosis (caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) has been confirmed in Georgia’s amphibian populations. This fungus has spurred the decline and extinction of many amphibians.

While surveys are conducted throughout Georgia, one focus has been on the Eastern Hellbender (sometimes known locally as the Snot Otter for its slimy skin secretions). This is the largest amphibian in the United States. These salamanders have been declining over the years, but the role of infectious diseases is not well understood. In an effort to better understand disease issues and overall population status, Garden staff and volunteers travel to streams in the mountains of north Georgia to search for these giant salamanders.