OPHIDIOMYCES OPHIDIICOLA AND TEXAS SNAKES: A FIELD TO BENCH STUDY OF OPHIDIOMYCOSIS

Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (Oo), the primary cause of Ophidiomycosis, is a fungal pathogen recently detected in Texas snakes. Prior to this study, there were major knowledge gaps regarding Oo growth, spread, and suitable environmental conditions. This study filled those gaps using a field to bench approach involving sampling snakes across Texas, in vitro fungal growth, and ecological niche modeling. 103 snakes were sampled across Texas in 2023 and 2024 and six cases of Oo infection were detected. Results of the growth experiment suggest that Oo prefers more stable temperatures and high humidity to a point and that there is a difference in growth patterns based on media and fungal strains. Ecological niche models created in this study suggest that precipitation variables and precipitation and temperature variations play major roles in Oo habitat suitability. Overall, in vitro growth experiment results mimic those observed via modeling with field data. These results contribute to the knowledge of the conditions required for Oo growth, viability, and the potential suitable habitat in Texas, providing valuable information on where to focus future sampling efforts.