Amphibian Chytrid Fungus Disease Validation

Question 1

Regions in Australia infected by the amphibian chytrid fungus.

Answer 1

Eastern Australia (from Melbourne to North Queensland)
South West Western Australia
Adelaide
Tasmania

Question 2

3 reasons a species may become threatened due to disease.

Answer 2

The zoospores produced by the fungus are able to enter the same water sources that the frogs swim and breed in
Their population size is small (vulnerable)
They inhabit the same area as the fungus

Question 3

Advantage and disadvantage of not having a resting stage in life cycle of fungus.

Answer 3

Advantage-they develop at a fast rate which allows for them to inhabit an area faster
Disadvantage-their survival is at risk as their environment is unfavourable

Question 4

Disadvantages of direct examination of skin scrapings.

Answer 4

It may harm the animal so only small samples can be taken.

The population may still look healthy/not showing clinical signs when they are actually carrying the infection.

Question 5

Advantages of immunoperoxidase.

Answer 5

More efficient and can detect slight infections
Does not harm the amphibian
Solutions that the frogs have contacted can be tested with accurate results

Question 6

Advantages of PCR.

Answer 6

Very precise and can detect very minor infections

Does not harm the amphibian

Question 7

Independent variable

Answer 7

Air temperature for the previous 30 days

Question 8

Dependant variable

Answer 8

Prevalence of chytridiomycosis

Question 9

Relationship between prevalence and air temperature

Answer 9

As the 30-day air temperature decreases, the prevalence of chytridiomycosis increases.

Question 10

In which seasons is the incidence of chytridiomycosis low or almost non-existent?

Answer 10

Summer

Autumn

Question 11

Compare reliability of results

Answer 11

Study didn’t control how many frogs were sampled each month-more sampled in Sep than Aug.
The results collected in September are more reliable as the sample size is larger.
Only two frogs sampled in Aug- less accurate representation of prevalence of infection
26 frogs sampled in Sep-more accurate representation of the prevalence of infection

Question 12

How can this info be used to research chytridiomycosis in frog pops?

Answer 12

To retrieve more information and precise data, it is best to analyse the frogs from May to Nov, when the air temperature is lower as that is when the disease is more prevalent.
Controlling the sample size for each month and the sampling date will allow scientists to collect more reliable data.