Interaction between the chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and the Ranavirus in anuran assemblages from the Southern Atlantic forest

• Grant number: 17/01917-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2017
• End date: January 22, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
• Grantee: Joice Ruggeri Gomes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/05217-1 - Changes in the skin microbiome composition of anurans infected with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Chytridiomycota) and ranavirus (Iridoviridae), BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Among the many threats to the global biodiversity, emerging infectious diseases are considered the main causes. Ranavirus (Rv) and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) are responsible for most declines of amphibian populations, which is the most threatened vertebrate taxa. Both Bd and Rv are spread via water and via direct contact with a sick individual, making dispersion extremely effective. The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is usually tolerant to both Bd and Rv, and is thought to be a carrier for these pathogenic agents. The bullfrog trade for food leads to a global movement of Bd and Rv, which can contribute to the introduction of such pathogenic agents into new regions and sensitive populations. In Brazil, well-established bullfrog populations can be found in the Atlantic Forest, where the distribution of Bd is widespread. However, the knowledge on Rv is limited to bullfrog farms, and the interaction between the two pathogens was never explored in Brazil. Therefore, we will investigate the presence of Rv in areas where bullfrogs are abundant. As coinfection of these two pathogens has been reported for amphibian species in other regions of the world, and it can intensify amphibian populational declines, we will also sample anuran specimens in order to detect the presence of both microorganisms. By doing that, we will be able to identify the virus dynamics in different species and habitats, and the interaction between Bd and Rv in anuran species from this biome. Consequences of coinfection will be discussed in order to help on amphibian conservation action plans. (AU)

Scientific publications

(8)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

KIRCHMEYER, JULIANA; RUGGERI, JOICE; GOMES, MARCIA DOS REIS; DE CARVALHO-E-SILVA, SERGIO POTSCH. The Tadpole of Scinax cardosoi (Carvalho-e-Silva and Peixoto, 1991), with Description of Internal Oral Morphology and Taxonomic Considerations (Anura: Hylidae ). South American Journal of Herpetology, v. 14, n. 3, p. 188-195, DEC 2019. (17/01917-6)

AUGUSTO-ALVES, GUILHERME; RUGGERI, JOICE; DA SILVA MARTINS, ANA GLAUCIA; ROSA DOMINGOS, ADAO HENRIQUE; SANTOS, ISAIAS; TOLEDO, LUIS FELIPE. Leptodactylus flavopictus: temporal calling activity and tadpole redescription. SALAMANDRA, v. 56, n. 2, p. 123-134, MAY 15 2020. (17/01917-6, 16/25358-3, 19/03170-0)

RUGGERI, J.; PONTES, M. R.; RIBEIRO, L. P.; GENDREAU, K. L.; SOUSA, R. L. M.; TOLEDO, L. F.. Predominant prevalence of Ranavirus in southern Brazil, a region with widespread occurrence of the amphibian chytrid. ANIMAL CONSERVATION, v. N/A, p. 12-pg., 2023-10-05. (18/23622-0, 16/25358-3, 17/01917-6, 20/00099-0, 13/50741-7, 19/18335-5)

RUGGERI, JOICE; DA SILVA MARTINS, ANA GLAUCIA; ROSA DOMINGOS, ADAO HENRIQUE; SANTOS, ISAIAS; VIROOMAL, IMRAN BHARAT; TOLEDO, LUIS FELIPE. Seasonal prevalence of the amphibian chytrid in a tropical pond-dwelling tadpole species. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS, v. 142, p. 171-176, 2020. (17/01917-6, 16/25358-3)

TOLEDO, LUIS FELIPE; RUGGERI, JOICE; LEITE FERRAZ DE CAMPOS, LEONARDO; MARTINS, MARCIO; NECKEL-OLIVEIRA, SELVINO; BREVIGLIERI, CRASSO PAULO BOSCO. Midges not only sucks, but may carry lethal pathogens to wild amphibians. Biotropica, v. 53, n. 3, MAR 2021. (16/25358-3, 17/01917-6)

RUGGERI, JOICE; DE CARVALHO-E-SILVA, SERGIO POTSCH; JAMES, TIMOTHY Y.; TOLEDO, LUIS FELIPE. Amphibian chytrid infection is influenced by rainfall seasonality and water availability. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS, v. 127, n. 2, p. 107-115, JAN 31 2018. (16/25358-3, 14/23388-7, 17/01917-6)

MAXIMO, ISABEL M.; BRANDAO, REUBER A.; RUGGERI, JOICE; TOLEDO, LUIS FELIPE. AMPHIBIAN ILLEGAL PET TRADE AND A POSSIBLE NEW CASE OF AN INVASIVE EXOTIC SPECIES IN BRAZIL. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, v. 16, n. 2, p. 303-312, AUG 2021. (17/01917-6, 16/25358-3)

RUGGERI, JOICE; RIBEIRO, LUISA P.; PONTES, MARIANA R.; TOFFOLO, CARLOS; CANDIDO, MARCELO; CARRIERO, MATEUS M.; ZANELLA, NOELI; SOUSA, RICARDO L. M.; TOLEDO, LUIS FELIPE. Discovery of Wild Amphibians Infected with Ranavirus in Brazil. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES, v. 55, n. 4, p. 897-902, OCT 2019. (17/01917-6, 12/08846-3, 16/25358-3, 17/01718-3, 16/03344-0)