Passive transport of a lethal pathogen to amphibians (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) through fog

• Grant number: 20/02991-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2020
• End date: February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
• Grantee: Joelma Santos do Prado
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/25358-3 - The chytrid fungus: from its origins to its consequences, AP.TEM

Abstract

Amphibians are the most threatened animal group today. Among the main causes of decline and extinction are epidemics of infectious diseases, such as chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which is associated with water bodies. However, cases of individuals of direct development species with high Bd loads have been reported. The process by these species which have little or no contact with water are exposed to Bd, remains unclear. Understanding how contamination of these terrestrial species sensitive to Bd occurs and identifying the environmental conditions that lead to outbreaks is important for the development of control measures and to prevent epidemics. In this context, the present study aims to investigate the possibility of infection by Bd in anuran species of direct development, through contact with water carried by water bodies in the form of fog. It is proposed to verify the occurrence of Bd in water from fog, through molecular techniques of environmental DNA, which will be sampled in four areas in the Atlantic Forest. The exposure of healthy direct development individuals will also be carried out, the nebulization of a solution of a Bd strain. They will later be subjected to qPCR analyzes, to check for the occurrence of infection. (AU)

Scientific publications

(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)

PRADO, JOELMA S.; ERNETTI, JULIA R.; PONTES, MARIANA RETUCI; FELIPE TOLEDO, L.. Chytrid in the clouds: an alternative passive transport of a lethal pathogen for amphibians. Hydrobiologia, v. N/A, p. 13-pg., 2023-04-16. (16/25358-3, 19/18335-5, 20/02991-8, 20/00099-0)