Chytrid study

[lexmiller]

I am going into the field to do some herping in Novemember and would like to take some samples from the various herps I find. I know how to swab a herp for chytrid but I am not sure what to store the swabs in (fluid or dry). I was thinking of looking at the samples myself or sending them to the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at Berkley.

What are your opinions on this?

Before we get into the nasty posts whole "contamination" or that I'm going to be "spreading" the Bd, let me assure you that I am taking all the safety precautions (gloves, bleach solutions, etc...). Let's get past that and just give me your examples of preserving samples and what not. Thanks.

I could do an internet search, but I value the opinions of the experts on this board much more than some random webber.

 

[Jennewt]

If the museum is willing to examine them for you, I'd ask them for advice on sample storage.

Is it really possible to test for chytrid by visual means? I've always heard about it being tested by PCR. For that, you need to store the swabs in alcohol. If you don't have access to a laboratory, the best source of non-denatured ethyl alcohol is a product called Everclear (drinkable high-percentage ethanol).

 

[daedae]

For how long are you wanting to preserve the samples? According to the San Diego Zoo, and many other sources, freezing will do just fine. Amphibian Ark recommends storing in a 70% EtOH solution. When I have sent samples from when i kept dendros, I would send them in dry, and not during extreme weather highs.

 

[lexmiller]

The trip was scrapped! Dang!