Amphibian conservation – Advanced selective breeding for disease resistance in Corroboree frogs

Amphibian conservation – Advanced selective breeding for disease resistance in Corroboree frogs

Advisor/s

Prof Kyall Zenger, A/Prof Lee Skerratt (The University of Melbourne), A/Prof Lee Berger (The University of Melbourne)

College or Research Centre

College of Science & Engineering

Summary of Project

Chytridiomycosis, an emerging amphibian disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is the most devastating disease ever described in vertebrates. This pathogen has caused the decline of at least 500 species of amphibians since spreading from Asia to naïve populations in the Americas and Australia. The lack of a solution is due, in part, to the lack of understanding of host immunity to Bd and the tools to manipulate immunity. This PhD project aims to better characterise the genetic basis of immunity to Bd in a high-priority species (ie., Corroboree frogs) and use this knowledge to increase disease resistance through advanced selective breeding program designs. The knowledge will be used in ongoing conservation breeding programs with partner organisations (ie., Taronga Conservation Society Australia and Zoos Victoria), as well as form baseline information in other amphibian breeding programs. This PhD project is part of an ARC Linkage funded partnership with Australian and International Universities, (University of Melbourne, University of Rochester and James Cook University), as well as government and Industry partners (NSW DPIE, Taronga Conservation Society and Zoos Victoria).
The PhD project will specifically investigate the optimum genomic selection model to enhance Bd resistance in captive bred Corroboree frogs as well develop the necessary genetic tools and knowledge to implement this information in ongoing advanced breeding programs.

Primary Supervisor: Prof Kyall Zenger (https://research.jcu.edu.au/portfolio/kyall.zenger/)

Enquiries to: aquaculture@jcu.edu.au

Key Words

amphibian; conservation; Corroboree frogs; Chytridiomycosis; amphibian disease ; Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd); immunity; optimum genomic selection model; Bd resistance; quantitative genetics ; animal breeding

Would suit an applicant who

has a background in quantitative genetics and/or animal breeding.

PhD (International/Domestic). Applicants will need to apply for a JCU competitive Research Scholarship and should be familiar with the Higher Degree by Research Requirements.

International applicant JCU deadline: 31^st August 2023

Domestic applicant JCU deadline: Open year round

Updated: 09 Aug 2023