Herpetofaunal Community Composition and Disease Dynamics in California Oak Woodlands
Author: Max Taus
Faculty Supervisor: Vance Vredenburg
Department: Biology
This research is designed to determine how the fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola (Oo) are maintained and distributed in nature in the San Francisco Bay Area. The specific aims involve gathering population estimates for host density (reptile and amphibian richness and abundance), fungal pathogen prevalence, and skin microbial diversity. Ultimately such information will provide baseline estimates for land managers to consider when assessing the impacts of development on herpetological community structure and disease dynamics.