First Report of Chytridiomycosis in a Dying Toad (Anura: Bufonidae) from Cuba: A New Conservation Challenge for the Island

Díaz, Luis M.; Cádiz, Antonio; Chong, Agustín; Silva, Alejandro

doi:10.1007/s10393-007-0094-4

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…The amphibian pathogenic fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been reported to occur in the West Indies, pinpointing it as the most important cause for species extinctions and population declines in pristine habitats (Joglar and Burrowes, 2005;Díaz et al, 2007;Malhotra et al, 2007;Alemu et al, 2008;Burrowes et al, 2008a). In Puerto Rico, long-term surveys revealed that three species (Eleutherodactylus karlschmidti, E. jasperi, and E. eneidae) are possibly extinct, and eight populations of six other species of Eleutherodactylus declined significantly at El Yunque National Forest (Joglar, 1998;Burrowes et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Persistence with Chytridiomycosis Does Not Assure Survival of Direct-developing Frogs

Longo

Burrowes

2010

EcoHealth

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The chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been linked to extinction and decline of numerous amphibians. We studied the population-level effects of Bd in two post-decline anuran species, Eleutherodactylus coqui and E. portoricensis, at El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico. Data on amphibian abundance was updated to report long-term population trends. Mark-recapture data was used to monitor Bd-infection status and estimate survival probabilities of infected versus uninfected adults. Prevalence of Bd (number of infected/total sampled) and individual infection level (number of zoospores) were compared among age classes at Palo Colorado Forest (661 m) and Elfin Forest (850 m). Results revealed that both species continued to decrease in Palo Colorado Forest, while in the Elfin Forest, E. portoricensis recuperated from drastic declines. Age class, season, and locality significantly predicted zoospore load. Age was also significantly associated with high zoospores loads among Bd-positive frogs, and the prevalence of Bd was higher in juveniles than adults in all populations studied. We suggest that early age represents a critical life stage in the survival of direct-developing frogs infected by this fungus. Survival probability was always higher for uninfected frogs, but recapture rates of infected versus uninfected adults were significantly different only in Palo Colorado, alerting that the negative effect of Bd infection under enzootic conditions is greater at mid-elevations. This work contributes to our understanding of how direct-developing amphibians persist with Bd, pointing to critical life stages and synergistic interactions that may induce fluctuations and/or declines in the wild.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Persistence with Chytridiomycosis Does Not Assure Survival of Direct-developing Frogs

Longo

Burrowes

2010

EcoHealth

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“…It has been implicated as the causative agent responsible for numerous amphibian mortality events (Berger et al 1998, Green & Kagarise Sherman 2001, Lips et al 2003a, Bell et al 2004, La Marca et al 2005, Diaz et al 2007) and in the rapid decline and extinction of amphibian species throughout the tropical and temperate zones of Australasia (e.g. Berger et al 1998, Bell et al 2004, Skerratt et al 2007), the Americas (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and risk factors for spread of amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Australia

Pauza¹,

Driessen²,

Skerratt³

2010

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Chytridiomycosis is an emerging infectious disease caused by the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and is the cause of the decline and extinction of amphibian species throughout the world. We surveyed the distribution of Bd within and around the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA), a 1.38 million ha area of significant fauna conservation value, which provides the majority of habitat for Tasmania's 3 endemic frog species (Litoria burrowsae, Bryobatrachus nimbus and Crinia tasmaniensis). Bd was detected at only 1 (3%) of the 33 sites surveyed within the TWWHA and at 15 (52%) of the 29 sites surveyed surrounding the TWWHA. The relatively low incidence of the disease within the TWWHA suggests that the majority of the TWWHA is currently free of the pathogen despite the fact that the region provides what appears to be optimal conditions for the persistence of Bd. For all survey sites within and around the TWWHA, the presence of Bd was strongly associated with the presence of gravel roads, forest and <1000 m altitude-factors that in this study were associated with human-disturbed landscapes around the TWWHA. Conversely, the presence of walking tracks was strongly associated with the absence of Bd, suggesting an association of absence with relatively remote locations. The wide distribution of Bd in areas of Tasmania with high levels of human disturbance and its very limited occurrence in remote wilderness areas suggests that anthropogenic activities may facilitate the dissemination of the pathogen on a landscape scale in Tasmania. Because the majority of the TWWHA is not readily accessible and appears to be largely free of Bd, and because Tasmanian frogs reproduce in ponds rather than streams, it may be feasible to control the spread of the disease in the TWWHA.

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“…However, in spite of more than 20 yr of long-term monitoring of amphibian populations (Burrowes et al, 2004;, we have never observed chytridiomycosisinduced mortalities in the field. In the Caribbean, only two reports of fatal chytridiomycosis in the wild exist; both are from aquatic species (Peltophryne longinasus dunni [Díaz et al 2007] and Leptodactylus fallax [McIntyre, 2003;G. García, pers.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Lability in Host Defenses: Terrestrial Frogs Die from Chytridiomycosis under Enzootic Conditions

Longo

Ossiboff

Zamudio

et al. 2013

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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ABSTRACT:Chytridiomycosis-induced mortalities often occur upon the emergence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in naïve amphibian populations. We report chytridiomycosis-associated mortalities in the wild of the coqui (Eleutherodactylus coqui), a declining direct-developing frog with persistent Bd infections. These findings provide additional evidence of decreased host defenses during cool-dry seasons in Puerto Rico.

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First Report of Chytridiomycosis in a Dying Toad (Anura: Bufonidae) from Cuba: A New Conservation Challenge for the Island

Cited by 19 publications

References 15 publications

Persistence with Chytridiomycosis Does Not Assure Survival of Direct-developing Frogs

Persistence with Chytridiomycosis Does Not Assure Survival of Direct-developing Frogs

Distribution and risk factors for spread of amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Australia

Lability in Host Defenses: Terrestrial Frogs Die from Chytridiomycosis under Enzootic Conditions

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