Surveying for Snake Fungal Pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola at Ohio Northern University Tidd-Oakes Farm
Advisor(s)
Dr. Katherine Krynak
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
McIntosh Activities Room
Start Date
19-4-2024 10:00 AM
End Date
19-4-2024 10:50 AM
Abstract
Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, a fungal pathogen that causes Snake Fungal Disease (SFD), has been implicated in population declines in North America and Eurasia. Currently there is no cure. SFD can lead to lesions on and behavioral changes of snakes altering mobility, feeding, and thermoregulation. Snakes with lesions have been reported at Ohio Northern University’s Tidd-Oakes Farm, providing impetus to survey for the pathogen. Coverboard and visual encounter surveys are proposed from May to August. Standardized skin swabs are to be collected and quantitative PCR used to determine prevalence of O. ophiodiicola across host species and over time. We predict variations in prevalence associated with activity (e.g. snake reproductive periods) and with temperature changes across seasons. Thermoregulatory behaviors of the snakes and optimal thermal conditions of the pathogen are predicted to influence pathogen prevalence across species and individual snake pathogen loads.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Violet R.; Buzdon, Abigail M.; Kurtz, Margaret L.; and Krynak, Katherine, "Surveying for Snake Fungal Pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola at Ohio Northern University Tidd-Oakes Farm" (2024). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 43.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2024/Posters/43
Level of Access
Open Access
Open Access
Available to all.
Surveying for Snake Fungal Pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola at Ohio Northern University Tidd-Oakes Farm
McIntosh Activities Room
Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, a fungal pathogen that causes Snake Fungal Disease (SFD), has been implicated in population declines in North America and Eurasia. Currently there is no cure. SFD can lead to lesions on and behavioral changes of snakes altering mobility, feeding, and thermoregulation. Snakes with lesions have been reported at Ohio Northern University’s Tidd-Oakes Farm, providing impetus to survey for the pathogen. Coverboard and visual encounter surveys are proposed from May to August. Standardized skin swabs are to be collected and quantitative PCR used to determine prevalence of O. ophiodiicola across host species and over time. We predict variations in prevalence associated with activity (e.g. snake reproductive periods) and with temperature changes across seasons. Thermoregulatory behaviors of the snakes and optimal thermal conditions of the pathogen are predicted to influence pathogen prevalence across species and individual snake pathogen loads.