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Ghose SL, Yap TA, Byrne AQ, Sulaeman H, Rosenblum EB, Chan-Alvarado A, Chaukulkar S, Greenbaum E, Koo MS, Kouete MT, Lutz K, McAloose D, Moyer AJ, Parra E, Portik DM, Rockney H, Zink AG, Blackburn DC, Vredenburg VT. Continent-wide recent emergence of a global pathogen in African amphibians. Front Conserv Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2023.1069490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionEmerging infectious diseases are increasingly recognized as a global threat to wildlife. Pandemics in amphibians, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), have resulted in biodiversity loss at a global scale. Genomic data suggest a complex evolutionary history of Bd lineages that vary in pathogenicity. Africa harbors a significant proportion of global amphibian biodiversity, and multiple Bd lineages are known to occur there; yet, despite the decline of many host species, there are currently no described Bd-epizootics. Here, we describe the historical and recent biogeographical spread of Bd and assess its risk to amphibians across the continent of Africa.MethodsWe provide a 165-year view of host-pathogen interactions by (i) employing a Bd assay to test 4,623 specimens (collected 1908–2013); (ii) compiling 12,297 published Bd records (collected 1852–2017); (iii) comparing the frequency of Bd-infected amphibians through time by both country and region; (iv) genotyping Bd lineages; (v) histologically identifying evidence of chytridiomycosis, and (vi) using a habitat suitability model to assess future Bd risk.ResultsWe found a pattern of Bd emergence beginning largely at the turn of the century. From 1852–1999, we found low Bd prevalence (3.2% overall) and limited geographic spread, but after 2000 we documented a sharp increase in prevalence (18.7% overall), wider geographic spread, and multiple Bd lineages that may be responsible for emergence in different regions. We found that Bd risk to amphibians was highest in much of eastern, central, and western Africa.DiscussionOur study documents a largely overlooked yet significant increase in a fungal pathogen that could pose a threat to amphibians across an entire continent. We emphasize the need to bridge historical and contemporary datasets to better describe and predict host-pathogen dynamics over larger temporal scales.
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GRIESBAUM FREDERIC, JONGSMA GREGORYF, PENNER JOHANNES, KOUAMÉ NGERMAIN, DOUMBIA JOSEPH, GONWOUO NONOL, HILLERS ANNIKA, GLOS JULIAN, BLACKBURN DAVIDC, RÖDEL MARKOLIVER. The smallest of its kind: Description of a new cryptic Amnirana species (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae) from West African rainforests. Zootaxa 2023; 5254:301-339. [PMID: 37044719 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.3.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The distribution of the White-Lipped Frog Amnirana albolabris was long assumed to extend from eastern-central to western African rainforests. However, recent molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that this taxon likely represents several undescribed species. Because the name-bearing types were collected in Gabon, the distantly related West African populations clearly represent an undescribed species that partly occurs in sympatry with Amnirana fonensis. Based on an integrative taxonomic approach, including molecular, morphological, and acoustic data, we describe the ‘albolabris’ populations from the Upper Guinean Forest Zone as a new species, and redescribe the morphologically similar A. fonensis on the bases of a larger series of genotyped individuals, including the first known females. We also provide new biological information for A. fonensis, including their advertisement call, habitat, and reproductive data. The new species is sister to A. fonensis and the two species differ by 5.8% in the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Morphologically, males of the new species are smaller and have relatively smaller humeral glands. Females of the new species seem to have shorter legs than A. fonensis. In comparison to A. fonensis, the advertisement call of the new species has a higher dominant frequency and more pronounced frequency modulation. The two species differ in their distribution and habitat preferences, as revealed by environmental niche modelling. Whereas the new species is restricted to the Upper Guinean forests and thus is a true lowland-rainforest inhabitant, A. fonensis lives predominantly in Guinean montane forests in the forest-savanna mosaic zone.
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Thumsová B, Donaire-Barroso D, El Mouden EH, Bosch J. Fatal chytridiomycosis in the Moroccan midwife toad Alytes maurus and potential distribution of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis across Morocco. AFR J HERPETOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1998235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Thumsová
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Asociación Herpetológica Española (AHE), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - El Hassan El Mouden
- Laboratory of Water, Biodiversity and Climatic Change, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Biodiversity Research Institute, University of Oviedo-Principality of Asturias-CSIC, Mieres, Spain
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Box EK, Cleveland CA, Subramaniam K, Waltzek TB, Yabsley MJ. Molecular Confirmation of Ranavirus Infection in Amphibians From Chad, Africa. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:733939. [PMID: 34604370 PMCID: PMC8481899 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.733939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ranaviruses are DNA viruses (Family Iridoviridae; Subfamily Alphairidovirinae) and ranaviral disease is considered an emerging infectious disease of ectothermic vertebrates. Ranavirus infection can have varying pathological effects on infected amphibians, reptiles, and fish, most notably causing significant mortality events and population declines. Despite having a broad global range with reports from six continents, only a single incidental finding in Xenopus longipes from mainland Africa (Cameroon) is known and lacks molecular confirmation. Thus, there is a considerable knowledge gap concerning ranaviruses in Africa. We opportunistically obtained tissue samples from 160 amphibians representing five genera (Hoplobatrachus, Hylarana, Ptychadena, Pyxicephalus, and Xenopus) and two turtles (Pelomedusa sp.) from Chad, Africa. Samples were tested for ranavirus infection using a conventional PCR assay targeting the major capsid protein (MCP). A total of 25/160 (16%) frogs tested positive including 15/87 (17%) Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, 10/58 (17%) Ptychadena spp., 0/3 Pyxicephalus spp., 0/9 Xenopus spp., and 0/3 Hylarana spp. One of two turtles tested positive. Partial MCP gene sequences indicated all samples were >98% similar to several frog virus 3 (FV3)-like sequences. Additional gene targets (DNA polymerase [DNApol], ribonucleotide reductase alpha [RNR- α], ribonucleotide reductase beta subunit [RNR- β]) were sequenced to provide further detailed classification of the virus. Sequences of individual gene targets indicate that the ranavirus detected in frogs in Chad is most similar to tiger frog virus (TFV), a FV3-like virus previously isolated from diseased amphibians cultured in China and Thailand. Full genome sequencing of one sample indicates that the Chad frog virus (CFV) is a well-supported sister group to the TFVs previously determined from Asia. This work represents the first molecular confirmation of ranaviruses from Africa and is a first step in comparing ranavirus phylogeography on a local and global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin K Box
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Christopher A Cleveland
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Kuttichantran Subramaniam
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Thomas B Waltzek
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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Alvarado-Rybak M, Lepe-Lopez M, Peñafiel-Ricaurte A, Valenzuela-Sánchez A, Valdivia C, Mardones FO, Bacigalupe LD, Puschendorf R, Cunningham AA, Azat C. Bioclimatic and anthropogenic variables shape the occurrence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis over a large latitudinal gradient. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17383. [PMID: 34462470 PMCID: PMC8405646 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96535-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibian chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has caused the greatest known loss of biodiversity due to an infectious disease. We used Bd infection data from quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays of amphibian skin swabs collected across Chile during 2008-2018 to model Bd occurrence with the aim to determine bioclimatic and anthropogenic variables associated with Bd infection. Also, we used Bd presence/absence records to identify geographical Bd high-risk areas and compare Bd prevalence and infection loads between amphibian families, ecoregions, and host ecology. Data comprised 4155 Bd-specific qPCR assays from 162 locations across a latitudinal gradient of 3700 km (18º to 51ºS). Results showed a significant clustering of Bd associated with urban centres and anthropogenically highly disturbed ecosystems in central-south Chile. Both Bd prevalence and Bd infection loads were higher in aquatic than terrestrial amphibian species. Our model indicated positive associations of Bd prevalence with altitude, temperature, precipitation and human-modified landscapes. Also, we found that macroscale drivers, such as land use change and climate, shape the occurrence of Bd at the landscape level. Our study provides with new evidence that can improve the effectiveness of strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss due to amphibian chytridiomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Alvarado-Rybak
- Sustainability Research Centre & PhD Programme in Conservation Medicine, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 252, Santiago, Chile
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
- Núcleo de Ciencias Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Universidad de las Américas, Echaurren 140, Santiago, Chile
| | - Manuel Lepe-Lopez
- Sustainability Research Centre & PhD Programme in Conservation Medicine, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexandra Peñafiel-Ricaurte
- Sustainability Research Centre & PhD Programme in Conservation Medicine, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 252, Santiago, Chile
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Andrés Valenzuela-Sánchez
- Sustainability Research Centre & PhD Programme in Conservation Medicine, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 252, Santiago, Chile
- ONG Ranita de Darwin, Nataniel Cox 152, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Conservación, Biodiversidad y Territorio, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, 5110566, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Catalina Valdivia
- Sustainability Research Centre & PhD Programme in Conservation Medicine, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando O Mardones
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Leonardo D Bacigalupe
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Robert Puschendorf
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Andrew A Cunningham
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Claudio Azat
- Sustainability Research Centre & PhD Programme in Conservation Medicine, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 252, Santiago, Chile.
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Castro Monzon F, Rödel MO, Jeschke JM. Tracking Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection Across the Globe. Ecohealth 2020; 17:270-279. [PMID: 33201333 PMCID: PMC7719156 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-020-01504-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Infection records of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a pathogen that has devastated amphibian populations worldwide, have rapidly increased since the pathogen's discovery. Dealing with so many records makes it difficult to (a) know where, when and in which species infections have been detected, (b) understand how widespread and pervasive Bd is and (c) prioritize study and management areas. We conducted a systematic review of papers and compiled a database with Bd infection records. Our dataset covers 71 amphibian families and 119 countries. The data revealed how widespread and adaptable Bd is, being able to infect over 50% of all tested amphibian species, with over 1000 confirmed host species and being present in 86 countries. The distribution of infected species is uneven among and within countries. Areas where the distributions of many infected species overlap are readily visible; these are regions where Bd likely develops well. Conversely, areas where the distributions of species that tested negative overlap, such as the Atlantic Coast in the USA, suggest the presence of Bd refuges. Finally, we report how the number of tested and infected species has changed through time, and provide a list of oldest detection records per country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Castro Monzon
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Jeschke
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
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Zimkus BM, Baláž V, Belasen AM, Bell RC, Channing A, Doumbia J, Fokam EB, Gonwouo LN, Greenbaum E, Gvoždík V, Hirschfeld M, Jackson K, James TY, Kusamba C, Larson JG, Mavoungou LB, Rödel MO, Zassi-Boulou AG, Penner J. Chytrid Pathogen (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in African Amphibians: A Continental Analysis of Occurrences and Modeling of Its Potential Distribution. HERPETOLOGICA 2020. [DOI: 10.1655/0018-0831-76.2.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Breda M. Zimkus
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Vojtech Baláž
- University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Anat M. Belasen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Rayna C. Bell
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
| | - Alan Channing
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Joseph Doumbia
- ONG EnviSud Guinée Commune Ratoma 030BP:558 4720 Conakry, Guinée
| | - Eric B. Fokam
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, 00237, Cameroon
| | - LeGrand N. Gonwouo
- Laboratory of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Václav Gvoždík
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Mareike Hirschfeld
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kate Jackson
- Department of Biology, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA
| | - Timothy Y. James
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Département de Biologie, Lwiro, The Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Joanna G. Larson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Lise-Bethy Mavoungou
- Institut National de Recherche en Sciences Exactes et Naturelles (IRSEN), Cité Scientifique (Ex-ORSTOM), 2400, République du Congo
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ange-Ghislain Zassi-Boulou
- Institut National de Recherche en Sciences Exactes et Naturelles (IRSEN), Cité Scientifique (Ex-ORSTOM), 2400, République du Congo
| | - Johannes Penner
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Doherty‐Bone TM, Cunningham AA, Fisher MC, Garner TWJ, Ghosh P, Gower DJ, Verster R, Weldon C. Amphibian chytrid fungus in Africa – realigning hypotheses and the research paradigm. Anim Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T. M. Doherty‐Bone
- Conservation Programs Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Edinburgh UK
- Department of Life Sciences Natural History Museum London UK
| | | | - M. C. Fisher
- School of Public Health Imperial College London London UK
| | - T. W. J. Garner
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management North‐West University Potchefstroom South Africa
| | - P. Ghosh
- School of Public Health Imperial College London London UK
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management North‐West University Potchefstroom South Africa
| | - D. J. Gower
- Department of Life Sciences Natural History Museum London UK
| | - R. Verster
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management North‐West University Potchefstroom South Africa
| | - C. Weldon
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management North‐West University Potchefstroom South Africa
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Abstract
In March and April 2018 we surveyed amphibians and reptiles in two Proposed Protected Areas (PPAs) in Liberia. In the Krahn-Bassa Proposed Protected Area (KBPPA) in eastern Liberia 36 species of amphibians and 13 species of reptiles were recorded. In the Foya Proposed Protected Area (FPPA) in western Liberia 39 species of amphibians and 10 species of reptiles were recorded. The encountered herpetological communities in both sites were typical for West African rainforests. However, some species indicated disturbances, in particular at the edges of the study areas, the surrounding villages and plantations, and old artisanal gold mining sites within forests. Of particular conservation interest was the discovery of a high percentage of typical rainforest specialists with ranges restricted to the western part of the Upper Guinea rainforest biodiversity hotspot. Outstanding discoveries in KBPPA were two new species of puddle frogs, and the first country record for the arboreal, parachuting lizardHolaspisguentheri. Remarkable records in FPPA comprise a new species of stiletto snake, a new puddle frog and records of various frog species typically breeding in undisturbed rainforest streams, such asOdontobatrachusnatatorandConrauaalleni. Both study areas comprise an important proportion of the remaining rainforests in the Upper Guinea forest zone. The new discoveries indicate that within this biogeographic area, southeastern and western Liberian rainforest may still hold various undiscovered species and species of conservation concern. Further surveys in KBPPA and FPPA and nearby forests should clarify the distribution and conservation status of the new taxa.This study also emphasizes that the western part of the Liberian forests comprise at least partly a herpetofauna which differs from that of the East of the country. The recorded threatened amphibian species are all specialized on relatively undisturbed rainforests and they all have only small geographic ranges. The remaining parts of undisturbed or little disturbed forests thus have high importance for the long-term survival of these species. In conclusion the study areas have a high conservation potential and should be urgently protected from any further forest loss degradation and uncontrolled hunting.
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Miller CA, Tasse Taboue GC, Ekane MMP, Robak M, Sesink Clee PR, Richards-Zawacki C, Fokam EB, Fuashi NA, Anthony NM. Distribution modeling and lineage diversity of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in a central African amphibian hotspot. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199288. [PMID: 29924870 PMCID: PMC6010240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The amphibian disease chytridiomycosis in amphibians is caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and has resulted in dramatic declines and extinctions of amphibian populations worldwide. A hypervirulent, globally-dispersed pandemic lineage (Bd-GPL) is thought to be largely responsible for population declines and extinctions, although numerous endemic lineages have also been found. Recent reports of amphibian declines have been linked to the emergence of Bd in Cameroon, a major hotspot of African amphibian diversity. However, it is not known whether Bd-GPL or other lineages have been found in this region. This study therefore aims to examine Bd lineage diversity in the region and predict the distribution of this pathogen under current and future climate conditions using data from this study and from historical records. Almost 15% (52/360) of individuals tested positive for Bd using a standard quantitative PCR diagnostic. Infected amphibians were found at all eight sites sampled in this study. Species distribution models generated in BIOMOD2 indicate that areas with highest predicted environmental suitability occur in the Cameroon highlands and several protected areas throughout the country. These areas of high environmental suitability for Bd are projected to shift or decrease in size under future climate change. However, montane regions with high amphibian diversity are predicted to remain highly suitable. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS sequences obtained from a set of positive Bd samples indicate that most fall within the Bd-GPL lineage while the remainder group with isolates from either Brazil or South Korea. Although more in depth phylogenetic analyses are needed, identification of Bd-GPL lineages in areas of high amphibian diversity emphasizes the need to continue to monitor for Bd and develop appropriate conservation strategies to prevent its further spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A. Miller
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Geraud Canis Tasse Taboue
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Mary M. P. Ekane
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Matthew Robak
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Paul R. Sesink Clee
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Corinne Richards-Zawacki
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Eric B. Fokam
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | | | - Nicola M. Anthony
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
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Abstract
Chytridiomycosis is an emerging infectious disease of amphibians that affects over 700 species on all continents where amphibians occur. The amphibian-chytridiomycosis system is complex, and the response of any amphibian species to chytrid depends on many aspects of the ecology and evolutionary history of the amphibian, the genotype and phenotype of the fungus, and how the biological and physical environment can mediate that interaction. Impacts of chytridiomycosis on amphibians are varied; some species have been driven extinct, populations of others have declined severely, whereas still others have not obviously declined. Understanding patterns and mechanisms of amphibian responses to chytrids is critical for conservation and management. Robust estimates of population numbers are needed to identify species at risk, prioritize taxa for conservation actions, design management strategies for managing populations and species, and to develop effective measures to reduce impacts of chytrids on amphibians.This article is part of the themed issue 'Tackling emerging fungal threats to animal health, food security and ecosystem resilience'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen R Lips
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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12
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Hydeman ME, Longo AV, Velo-Antón G, Rodriguez D, Zamudio KR, Bell RC. Prevalence and genetic diversity of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Central African island and continental amphibian communities. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:7729-7738. [PMID: 29043029 PMCID: PMC5632636 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infects hundreds of amphibian species and is implicated in global amphibian declines. Bd is comprised of several lineages that differ in pathogenicity, thus, identifying which Bd strains are present in a given amphibian community is essential for understanding host–pathogen dynamics. The presence of Bd has been confirmed in Central Africa, yet vast expanses of this region have not yet been surveyed for Bd prevalence, and the genetic diversity of Bd is largely unknown in this part of the world. Using retrospective surveys of museum specimens and contemporary field surveys, we estimated the prevalence of Bd in Central African island and continental amphibian assemblages, and genotyped strains of Bd present in each community. Our sampling of museum specimens included just a few individuals collected in the Gulf of Guinea archipelago prior to 1998, yet one of these individuals was Bd‐positive indicating that the pathogen has been on Bioko Island since 1966. We detected Bd across all subsequent sample years in our study and found modest support for a relationship between host life history and Bd prevalence, a positive relationship between prevalence and host community species richness, and no significant relationship between elevation and prevalence. The Global Panzootic Lineage (BdGPL) was present in all the island and continental amphibian communities we surveyed. Our results are consistent with a long‐term and widespread distribution of Bd in amphibian communities of Gabon and the Gulf of Guinea archipelago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina E Hydeman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | - Ana V Longo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | - Guillermo Velo-Antón
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA.,CIBIO-InBIO Universidade do Porto Campus Agrário de Vairão Vairão Portugal
| | - David Rodriguez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA.,Department of Biology Texas State University San Marcos TX USA
| | - Kelly R Zamudio
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | - Rayna C Bell
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA.,Department of Vertebrate Zoology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
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13
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Lambertini C, Becker CG, Bardier C, da Silva Leite D, Toledo LF. Spatial distribution of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in South American caecilians. Dis Aquat Organ 2017; 124:109-116. [PMID: 28425424 DOI: 10.3354/dao03114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The amphibian-killing fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is linked to population declines in anurans and salamanders globally. To date, however, few studies have attempted to screen Bd in live caecilians; Bd-positive caecilians have only been reported in Africa and French Guiana. Here, we performed a retrospective survey of museum preserved specimens to (1) describe spatial patterns of Bd infection in Gymnophiona across South America and (2) test whether areas of low climatic suitability for Bd in anurans predict Bd spatial epidemiology in caecilians. We used quantitative PCR to detect Bd in preserved caecilians collected over a 109 yr period, and performed autologistic regressions to test the effect of bioclimatic metrics of temperature and precipitation, vegetation density, and elevation on the likelihood of Bd occurrence. We detected an overall Bd prevalence of 12.4%, with positive samples spanning the Uruguayan savanna, Brazil's Atlantic Forest, and the Amazon basin. Our autologistic models detected a strong effect of macroclimate, a weaker effect of vegetation density, and no effect of elevation on the likelihood of Bd occurrence. Although most of our Bd-positive records overlapped with reported areas of high climatic suitability for the fungus in the Neotropics, many of our new Bd-positive samples extend far into areas of poor suitability for Bd in anurans. Our results highlight an important gap in the study of amphibian chytridiomycosis: the potential negative impact of Bd on Neotropical caecilians and the hypothetical role of caecilians as Bd reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Lambertini
- Laboratório de História Natural de Anfíbios Brasileiros (LaHNAB), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil
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14
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Hirschfeld M, Blackburn DC, Doherty-Bone TM, Gonwouo LN, Ghose S, Rödel MO. Dramatic Declines of Montane Frogs in a Central African Biodiversity Hotspot. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155129. [PMID: 27149624 PMCID: PMC4858272 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibian populations are vanishing worldwide. Declines and extinctions of many populations have been attributed to chytridiomycosis, a disease induced by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). In Africa, however, changes in amphibian assemblages were typically attributed to habitat change. We conducted a retrospective study utilizing field surveys from 2004–2012 of the anuran faunas on two mountains in western Cameroon, a hotspot of African amphibian diversity. The number of species detected was negatively influenced by year, habitat degradation, and elevation, and we detected a decline of certain species. Because another study in this region revealed an emergence of Bd in 2008, we screened additional recent field-collected samples and also pre-decline preserved museum specimens for the presence of Bd supporting emergence before 2008. When comparing the years before and after Bd detection, we found significantly diminished frog species richness and abundance on both mountains after Bd emergence. Our analyses suggest that this may be the first disease-driven community-level decline in anuran biodiversity in Central Africa. The disappearance of several species known to tolerate habitat degradation, and a trend of stronger declines at higher elevations, are consistent with Bd-induced declines in other regions. Not all species decreased; populations of some species remained constant, and others increased after the emergence of Bd. This variation might be explained by species-specific differences in infection probability. Increased habitat protection and Bd-mitigation strategies are needed for sustaining diverse amphibian communities such as those on Mt. Manengouba, which contains nearly half of Cameroon’s frog diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Hirschfeld
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - David C. Blackburn
- Department of Herpetology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California 94118, United States of America
| | - Thomas M. Doherty-Bone
- Conservation Research & Action for Amphibians of Cameroon, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - LeGrand Nono Gonwouo
- Cameroon Herpetology-Conservation Biology Foundation (CAMHERP-CBF), PO Box 8218, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Sonia Ghose
- Department of Herpetology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California 94118, United States of America
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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15
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Berger L, Roberts AA, Voyles J, Longcore JE, Murray KA, Skerratt LF. History and recent progress on chytridiomycosis in amphibians. FUNGAL ECOL 2016; 19:89-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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16
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Seimon TA, Ayebare S, Sekisambu R, Muhindo E, Mitamba G, Greenbaum E, Menegon M, Pupin F, McAloose D, Ammazzalorso A, Meirte D, Lukwago W, Behangana M, Seimon A, Plumptre AJ. Assessing the Threat of Amphibian Chytrid Fungus in the Albertine Rift: Past, Present and Future. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145841. [PMID: 26710251 PMCID: PMC4692535 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the cause of chytridiomycosis, is a pathogenic fungus that is found worldwide and is a major contributor to amphibian declines and extinctions. We report results of a comprehensive effort to assess the distribution and threat of Bd in one of the Earth’s most important biodiversity hotspots, the Albertine Rift in central Africa. In herpetological surveys conducted between 2010 and 2014, 1018 skin swabs from 17 amphibian genera in 39 sites across the Albertine Rift were tested for Bd by PCR. Overall, 19.5% of amphibians tested positive from all sites combined. Skin tissue samples from 163 amphibians were examined histologically; of these two had superficial epidermal intracorneal fungal colonization and lesions consistent with the disease chytridiomycosis. One amphibian was found dead during the surveys, and all others encountered appeared healthy. We found no evidence for Bd-induced mortality events, a finding consistent with other studies. To gain a historical perspective about Bd in the Albertine Rift, skin swabs from 232 museum-archived amphibians collected as voucher specimens from 1925–1994 were tested for Bd. Of these, one sample was positive; an Itombwe River frog (Phrynobatrachus asper) collected in 1950 in the Itombwe highlands. This finding represents the earliest record of Bd in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We modeled the distribution of Bd in the Albertine Rift using MaxEnt software, and trained our model for improved predictability. Our model predicts that Bd is currently widespread across the Albertine Rift, with moderate habitat suitability extending into the lowlands. Under climatic modeling scenarios our model predicts that optimal habitat suitability of Bd will decrease causing a major range contraction of the fungus by 2080. Our baseline data and modeling predictions are important for comparative studies, especially if significant changes in amphibian health status or climactic conditions are encountered in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracie A. Seimon
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Samuel Ayebare
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, United States of America
| | - Robert Sekisambu
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel Muhindo
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, United States of America
| | - Guillain Mitamba
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, United States of America
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States of America
| | - Michele Menegon
- Tropical Biodiversity Section, MUSE, The Science Museum of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Fabio Pupin
- Tropical Biodiversity Section, MUSE, The Science Museum of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Denise McAloose
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Danny Meirte
- Department of African Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Wilbur Lukwago
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mathias Behangana
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Anton Seimon
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, United States of America
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi J. Rockney
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Caleb Ofori-Boateng
- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Kumasi, Ghana
- Wildlife and Range Management Department, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Natsuko Porcino
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Adam D. Leaché
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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18
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Barej MF, Penner J, Schmitz A, Rödel MO. Multiple genetic lineages challenge the monospecific status of the West African endemic frog family Odontobatrachidae. BMC Evol Biol 2015; 15:67. [PMID: 25928080 PMCID: PMC4425868 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-015-0346-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Correct species identification is crucial in different fields of biology, and in conservation. The endemic West African frog family Odontobatrachidae currently contains a single described species, Odontobatrachus natator. From western Guinea to western Côte d'Ivoire it inhabits forests around waterfalls or cascades. Based on more than 130 specimens from 78 localities, covering the entire distribution, we investigated the molecular diversity of these frogs. Results Our analyses included mitochondrial and nuclear genes, with a concatenated alignment of 3527 base pairs. We detected high level of genetic differentiation with five distinct lineages or operational taxonomic units (OTUs). These OTUs were also identified by two different species delimitation approaches, Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and cluster algorithm. All OTUs occur in parapatry in the Upper Guinean forests. One OTU, assigned to the “true” Odontobatrachus natator, covers the largest distribution, ranging from the border region of western Sierra Leone-Guinea to eastern Liberia. Two OTUs are restricted to western Guinea (Fouta Djallon and foothills), while two others occur in eastern Guinea and the border region of Guinea-Liberia-Côte d'Ivoire. The OTU representing O. natator consists of two divergent subclades: one restricted to the Freetown Peninsula (Sierra Leone) and the other covering all populations further inland. Environmental niche models indicated that the restricted Freetown Peninsula population is separated by unsuitable habitat from remaining populations. Conclusion Geographic isolation of OTUs and molecular differences comparable to species level differentiation in other frog families indicate that O. natator contains cryptic species diversity. Respective distribution patterns most probably resulted from repeated changes of forest cover (contraction and expansion) over evolutionary timescales. The survival within forest refugia that have persisted through multiple drier periods and subsequent dispersal during wetter times may best explain the observed geographic distributions of OTUs. According to the IUCN Red List range criteria each OTU should be classified as “Endangered.” If the Freetown Peninsula “natator” population is recognized as a distinct species it would warrant recognition as “Critically Endangered.” The identification of cryptic lineages highlights the urgent need to protect these frogs, all of which are endemic to small areas within the Upper Guinean biodiversity hotspot. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0346-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Johannes Penner
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Andreas Schmitz
- Department of Herpetology and Ichthyology, Natural History Museum of Geneva, CP 6434, 1211, Geneva 6, Switzerland.
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115, Berlin, Germany.
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19
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Tarrant J, Cilliers D, du Preez LH, Weldon C. Spatial assessment of amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in South Africa confirms endemic and widespread infection. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69591. [PMID: 23894506 PMCID: PMC3718833 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chytridiomycosis has been identified as a major cause of global amphibian declines. Despite widespread evidence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection in South African frogs, sampling for this disease has not focused on threatened species, or whether this pathogen poses a disease risk to these species. This study assessed the occurrence of Bd-infection in South African Red List species. In addition, all known records of infection from South Africa were used to model the ecological niche of Bd to provide a better understanding of spatial patterns and associated disease risk. Presence and prevalence of Bd was determined through quantitative real-time PCR of 360 skin swab samples from 17 threatened species from 38 sites across the country. Average prevalence was 14.8% for threatened species, with pathogen load varying considerably between species. MaxEnt was used to model the predicted distribution of Bd based on 683 positive records for South Africa. The resultant probability threshold map indicated that Bd is largely restricted to the wet eastern and coastal regions of South Africa. A lack of observed adverse impacts on wild threatened populations supports the endemic pathogen hypothesis for southern Africa. However, all threatened species occur within the limits of the predicted distribution for Bd, exposing them to potential Bd-associated risk factors. Predicting pathogen distribution patterns and potential impact is increasingly important for prioritising research and guiding management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Tarrant
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, North West Province, South Africa.
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20
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Gower DJ, Doherty-Bone T, Loader SP, Wilkinson M, Kouete MT, Tapley B, Orton F, Daniel OZ, Wynne F, Flach E, Müller H, Menegon M, Stephen I, Browne RK, Fisher MC, Cunningham AA, Garner TWJ. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection and lethal chytridiomycosis in caecilian amphibians (Gymnophiona). Ecohealth 2013; 10:173-83. [PMID: 23677560 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-013-0831-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is commonly termed the 'amphibian chytrid fungus' but thus far has been documented to be a pathogen of only batrachian amphibians (anurans and caudatans). It is not proven to infect the limbless, generally poorly known, and mostly soil-dwelling caecilians (Gymnophiona). We conducted the largest qPCR survey of Bd in caecilians to date, for more than 200 field-swabbed specimens from five countries in Africa and South America, representing nearly 20 species, 12 genera, and 8 families. Positive results were recovered for 58 specimens from Tanzania and Cameroon (4 families, 6 genera, 6+ species). Quantities of Bd were not exceptionally high, with genomic equivalent (GE) values of 0.052-17.339. In addition, we report the first evidence of lethal chytridiomycosis in caecilians. Mortality in captive (wild-caught, commercial pet trade) Geotrypetes seraphini was associated with GE scores similar to those we detected for field-swabbed, wild animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Gower
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, UK.
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