Many declines of amphibian populations have been associated with chytridiomycosis, a
disease caused by the aquatic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Despite the
relatively high prevalence of chytridiomycosis in stream amphibians globally, most surveys
in North America have focused primarily on wetland-associated species, which are
frequently infected. To better understand the distribution and prevalence of Bd in headwater
amphibian communities, we sampled 452 tailed frogs (Ascaphus truei and Ascaphus …

(Ascaphus truei and Ascaphus montanus) and 304 stream salamanders (seven species in
the Dicamptodontidae and Plethodontidae) for Bd in 38 first-to third-order streams in five
montane areas across the United States. The authors tested for presence of Bd by using
PCR on skin swabs from salamanders and metamorphosed tailed frogs or the oral disc of
frog larvae. Bd was detected on only seven individuals (0.93%) in four streams. Based on
the study and results from five other studies that have sampled headwater-or seep …