Previously, Nannizziopsis guarroi, an ascomycete fungi within the Onygenales order and historically connected to the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV) complex, had been associated with a necrotic infection in reptiles: green iguanas and bearded dragons. Most of what has been discovered about this fungus comes from the work of veterinary clinics. However, there is an extensive knowledge gap in the physiology, pathogenicity, and disease impacts of this fungus. I conducted a challenge experiment using N. guarroi to confirm if the fungus is the primary pathogen of Yellow fungus disease in bearded dragons.

Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola is the primary agent of snake fungal disease that has disrupted wild and captive snake populations in North America. Historically associated with the Chrysporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV) complex, this fungus has been continually isolated from different snake species since the late 1900s. Despite this, there remains a critical lack of research into the fungus' ecological role, pathogenicity, and host range. I conducted a cross inoculation experiment using the fungi O. ophiodiicola and Nannizziopsis guarroi to inoculate corn snakes and bearded dragons to determine if infection in a new host was possible.

Within the last three decades, emerging infectious fungal diseases have erupted within wildlife resulting in more questions driven by conservation concerns about these diseases further spilling into other wild populations. Yellow fungus disease, caused by Nannizziopsis guarroi, along with other Nannizziopsis species, is increasing in disease reports around the globe with little information and minimal sequenced genomes of Nannizziopsis species. I conducted whole-genome sequencing of N. guarroi to in part add to the current public databases but to also investigate the genome for potential enzymes associated with keratin degradation. This investigation is the first to be done with N. guarroi and can lead to downstream understanding of pathogenicity factors that aid in establishing infections.