Transcriptome responses of two frog species exposed to Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

In this study, we provide gene expression data from two frog species, the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) and wood frog (Rana sylvatica), exposed to the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). We expected these two host species to differ in their susceptibility to chytridiomycosis, the amphibian disease resulting from Bd infection, with American bullfrogs being resistant and wood frogs being susceptible. In addition, both amphibian hosts were exposed to two isolates of Bd that were expected to differ in virulence. Ventral skin tissue samples were collected from both species at multiple time points following Bd exposure. These data shed light on the mechanisms by which certain amphibian species defend themselves against Bd and will ultimately inform amphibian conservation efforts.