Marcel T. Kouete is a PhD candidate at the University of Florida School of Natural Resources and Environment. His thesis investigates the pattern of spread, the prevalence and the epidemiology of the amphibian fungi pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) that has brought amphibians to the brink of extinction during the last decade.
Due to the resistance of some frogs to the pathogen, Marcel's work also investigates frogs skin microbiome to identify and isolate beneficial bacteria responsible for disease tolerance or resistance. The identification of bacteria that have the potential to inhibit Bd is the way forward for amphibian conservation and is probably critical towards developing cure for some of the mycosis faced by the public at large.
Field work is conducted in Cameroon (Central Africa) which rank third in term of amphibian endemism and second in term of diversity on the continent.Unfortunately this important diversity is currently threatened by not only disease but also anthropogenic disturbances and climate change.
Due to the resistance of some frogs to the pathogen, Marcel's work also investigates frogs skin microbiome to identify and isolate beneficial bacteria responsible for disease tolerance or resistance. The identification of bacteria that have the potential to inhibit Bd is the way forward for amphibian conservation and is probably critical towards developing cure for some of the mycosis faced by the public at large.
Field work is conducted in Cameroon (Central Africa) which rank third in term of amphibian endemism and second in term of diversity on the continent.Unfortunately this important diversity is currently threatened by not only disease but also anthropogenic disturbances and climate change.