Effects of exogenous elevation of corticosterone on immunity and the skin microbiome of eastern newts ().

The amphibian chytrid fungus, () threatens salamander biodiversity. The factors underlying susceptibility may include glucocorticoid hormones (GCs). The effects of GCs on immunity and disease susceptibility are well studied in mammals, but less is known in other groups, including salamanders.

In Vitro Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of Salamander Skin Peptides.

Given the current and future costs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to human health and economic productivity, there is an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial compounds. Antimicrobial peptides are a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics and other antimicrobials. Amphibian skin is a rich source of bioactive compounds, but the antibacterial properties of salamander skin peptides have been neglected.

External nasal gland morphology of Eurycea bislineata (Amphibia, Urodela, Plethodontidae).

Plethodontid salamanders possess numerous courtship glands. Previous studies have shown that the glands are more prominent in male individuals than females, and often experience periods of atrophy and hypertrophy throughout the year that correlate to the nonmating and mating seasons, respectively. We sampled male and female Eurycea bislineata throughout the year to test the hypothesis that external nasal glands are courtship glands.

Isolation and maintenance of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans cultures.

Discovered in 2013, the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is an emerging amphibian pathogen that causes ulcerative skin lesions and multifocal erosion. A closely related pathogen, B. dendrobatidis (Bd), has devastated amphibian populations worldwide, suggesting that Bsal poses a significant threat to global salamander biodiversity.

Skin glands of an aquatic salamander vary in size and distribution and release antimicrobial secretions effective against chytrid fungal pathogens.

Amphibian skin is unique among vertebrate classes, containing a large number of multicellular exocrine glands that vary among species and have diverse functions. The secretions of skin glands contain a rich array of bioactive compounds including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Such compounds are important for amphibian innate immune responses and may protect some species from chytridiomycosis, a lethal skin disease caused by the fungal pathogens (Bd) and (Bsal).