Novel findings on the impact of chytridiomycosis on the cardiac function of anurans: sensitive vs. tolerant species

Author(s):Show less -

Salla, Raquel F. ^{[1, 2]} ; Rizzi-Possignolo, Gisele M. ^[3] ; Oliveira, Cristiane R. ^[1] ; Lambertini, Carolina ^[2] ; Franco-Belussi, Lilian ^[1] ; Leite, Domingos S. ^[4] ; Silva-Zacarin, Elaine Cristina M. ^[1] ; Abdalla, Fabio C. ^[1] ; Jenkinson, Thomas S. ^[5] ; Toledo, Luis Felipe ^[2] ; Jones-Costa, Monica ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Biol, Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Anim Biol, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Calif Santa Cruz, Dept Biol, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 - USA

^[4] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Genet Evolut Microbiol & Immunol, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Calif Berkeley, Dept Environm Sci Policy & Management, Berkeley, CA 94720 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PeerJ; v. 6, NOV 7 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Background. Understanding of the physiological effects of chytridiomycosis is crucial to worldwide amphibian conservation. Therefore, we analyzed the cardiac function of two anuran species (Xenopus laevis and Physalaemus albonotatus) with different susceptibilities to infection by the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (hereafter Bd). Methods. We analyzed the in situ heart rate (f(H) - bpm), relative ventricular mass (RVM -%), and Ca2+ handling in heart of Bd infected animals compared to uninfected controls of both study species. Results. Bd infection resulted in a 78% decrease in contraction force values in P. albonotatus when compared to the less susceptible X. laevis. This negative effect was even more evident (82%) for the cardiac pumping capacity. The time to reach peak tension was 125% longer in P. albonotatus than in X. laevis, and cardiac relaxation was 57% longer. Discussion. These results indicate a delay in the cardiac cycle of P. albonotatus on a beat-to-beat basis, which was corroborated by the bradycardia observed in situ. In summary, Bd-sensitive species present impaired cardiac function, which could be a factor in mortality risk. The more pronounced effects of Bd in P. albonotatus may not only result from electrolyte imbalance, as previously reported, but also could be an effect of toxins produced by Bd. For X. laevis, the ability to promote cardiac adjustments seems to be an important homeostatic feature that allows greater tolerance to chytridiomycosis. This study provides new physiological mechanisms underlying the tolerance or susceptibility of amphibian species to chytridiomycosis, which determine their adaptability to survive in the affected environments. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/23388-7 - Comunication and sensory systems of the anurans of the Atlantic Forest
• Grantee: Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/57712-4 - The National Institute of Comparative Physiological Research
• Grantee: Augusto Shinya Abe
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants