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Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

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DAO 56:59-64 (2003)  -  doi:10.3354/dao056059

Cryo-archiving of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and other chytridiomycetes

D. G. Boyle1, A. D. Hyatt1,*, P. Daszak2, L. Berger1, J. E. Longcore3, David Porter3, S. G. Hengstberger1, V. Olsen1

1Australian Animal Health Laboratory, CSIRO Livestock Industries, Private Bag 24, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
2Consortium for Conservation Medicine, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964-8000, USA
3Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469-5722, USA
*Corresponding author. Email:

ABSTRACT: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a major pathogen of frogs worldwide. It has been associated with catastrophic declines of frog populations including those in pristine habitats in Queensland, Australia. To facilitate genetic and disease studies of this fungus and related species, it is essential to have a reliable long-term storage method to maintain genetic integrity of isolates. We have adapted well-established techniques used for the long-term storage of tissue-culture cell lines to the preservation of B. dendrobatidis and other chytridiomycetes. This simple method has allowed us to recover these fungi from storage at -80°C and in liquid nitrogen over an extended period. With this technique it is now possible to preserve saprobic and parasitic isolates from a variety of environmental and disease situations for comparative genetic and biological studies.


KEY WORDS: Chytrids · Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis · Storage · Cryopreservation · Amphibian declines


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