Karen Lips
UMD Biology Professor

Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Lecture begins at 6:30 p.m.

Milkboy Art House

MilkBoy ArtHouse
7416 Baltimore Ave.
College Park, MD 20740
(Directions)

RSVP at go.umd.edu/scienceontap9.
Space is limited. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Happy hour specials will be available until 7 p.m.

Questions? Contact Abby Robinson
at abbyr@umd.edu or 301-405-5845.

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ABOUT THE TALK
Emerging fungal diseases have devastating effects on the abundance and the number of species of amphibians, bats, coral reefs, plants and snakes. For amphibians, a recently emerged fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has caused population declines in hundreds, if not thousands, of species, including extinctions of many species. Because this disease persists in the environment and because it can infect all species of amphibians tested so far (over 700 and counting!), effective conservation measures have not been found. Species and populations vary in their response to this disease, and many ecological, climatic and genetic factors affect the outcome of infection, making predictions difficult. Because we have so little data on the natural population abundances of most species of amphibians, it is even difficult to estimate how much populations have declined and where to prioritize conservation efforts. Bd has been found on all continents (except Antarctica), but its history and its effects on native amphibian populations are poorly known for most areas and for most species. In only a handful of cases do we have clear evidence that a community was recently invaded by this disease, resulting in precipitous declines and die-offs. In most regions, Bd can be found in most species and in most habitats, although we have little or no evidence of past epizootics, population declines or pathogen invasion. Retrospective surveys of museum holdings have shown that the history of Bd at some sites has been many decades longer than expected, raising questions regarding both the ability of scientists to detect the “Ghost of Chytrid Past” and the ability of amphibians to adapt to disease. Batttling other emerging fungal pathogens will require international collaboration, multidisciplinary research and a portfolio of conservation measures to protect biodiversity.

This event is a partnership between the UMD College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences and The Clarice and MilkBoy ArtHouse, a local crossroads for dynamic entertainment, social gathering and creative dining in downtown College Park, Maryland. This event is also sponsored by the UMD Science Alumni Network.