About Trinity Swisher

Diverse blood parasites (Hepatazoon spp.) have been reported to infect Anuran amphibians (frogs and toads). However, there is a gap in the information available regarding prevalence, distribution, and how they impact amphibian health. Furthermore, research on the influence of coinfections of Hepatazoon and common pathogens such as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) - a fungal pathogen that causes the disease chytridiomycosis and is responsible for amphibian decline globally- has not been explored. The results from this project will provide insight into the type and abundance of Hepatazoon species that infect frogs in North America and document their relation to other common infections like Bd.