Investigated some amphibian fungal pathogen (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) to the Eastern Black Sea region by real-time PCR technique

In this research, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis which causes the worldwide amphibian fatalities in the region of "Eastern Black Sea" region in Turkey was studied by Real-time PCR technique for the first time. The presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis was proven by this work in this region which possesses the one of the most important natural environments in the country and is a home to lots of species. In this work, field survey in 4 different locations (Uzungöl/Çaykara, Karagöl/Yusufeli, Sahra Milli Parkı/Artvin, Şavşat Gölü/Artvin) which lies in the Eastern Black Sea region (Trabzon, Rize, Artvin) had been carried out during the summer season of 2015 (June through August). During the field survey, the test results of 6 of the 47 specimens came out positive. Pelodytes caucasicus species which is only present in Eastern Black Sea region within the borders of Turkey appears in Near Threatened (NT) animals list according to IUCN criteria and faces the danger of extinction is also endangered by this fungal pathogen. In the Ommatotrito ophryticus specimens which exist in Eastern Black Sea region Bd positive result has came out. In this research, it has been shown that Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) fungus which caused the termination of amphibious species is also a threat to the ecological variety of the Eastern Black Sea region. As a result of this thesis, legal arrangements for protecting amphibious species in the region can be made and the further studies on how this pathogen transferred into the region can be conducted.