Three Pathogens Impact Terrestrial Frogs from a High-Elevation Tropical Hotspot

AbstractThree infectious pathogensBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd),Ranavirus (Rv) and Perkinsea (Pr) are associated with widespread and ongoing amphibian population declines. Although their geographic and host ranges vary widely, recent studies have suggested that the occurrence of these pathogens could be more common than previously thought, even in direct-developing terrestrial species traditionally considered less likely to harbor these largely aquatic pathogens. Here, we characterizeBd,Rv, and Pr infections in direct-developing terrestrial amphibians of thePristimantis genus from the highland Ecuadorean Andes. We confirm the first detection of Pr in terrestrial-breeding amphibians and in the Andean region, present the first report ofRv in Ecuador, and we add to the handful of studies findingBd infectingPristimantis. Infection prevalence did not differ significantly among pathogens, but infection intensity was significantly higher forBd compared to Pr. Neither prevalence nor intensity differed significantly across locality and elevation forBd andRv, although low prevalence in our dataset and lack of seasonal sampling could have prevented important epidemiological patterns from emerging. Our study highlights the importance of incorporating pathogen surveillance in biodiversity monitoring in the Andean region and serves as starting point to understand pathogen dynamics, transmission, and impacts in terrestrial-breeding frogs.
Source: EcoHealth - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research