Episode 47. The Amphibian Pandemic - Chytrid with Dr. Taegan McMahon

Tonight I am joined by Dr. Taegan McMahon. Taegan is a Disease Ecologist and she has studied Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) (commonly known as chytrid) quite extensively. In this episode we discuss the lifecycle of the fungus, how it is spread and what the future holds.  We also  discuss the surprising role that non amphibian hosts, such as crayfish and birds have in spreading Bd and how a  possible vaccine for the fungus may be available in the near future.