High temporal and individual variation in the prevalence and intensity of chytrid infection in the southernmost Leaf Frog of the genusPithecopus(Anura, Phyllomedusidae)

Author(s)

Ernetti, Julia R. ^{[1, 2]} ; Boschetti, Joana P. ^[2] ; Delazeri, Francieli ^[2] ; De Bastiani, Veluma I. M. ^[3] ; Pontes, Mariana R. ^[1] ; Ribeiro, Luisa P. ^[1] ; Lingnau, Rodrigo ^[4] ; Toledo, Luis Felipe ^[1] ; Lucas, Elaine M. ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Anim, Lab Hist Nat Anfibios Brasileiros LaHNAB, BR-13083862 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Comunitaria Regiao Chapeco, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Ambientais, BR-89809900 Chapeco, SC - Brazil

^[3] Univ Comunitaria Regiao Chapeco, Lab Ecol & Quim, BR-89809900 Chapeco, SC - Brazil

^[4] Univ Tecnol Fed Parana, Dept Acad Quim & Biol, BR-85601970 Francisco Beltrao, Parana - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Santa Maria, Dept Zootecnia & Ciencias Biol, BR-98300000 Palmeira Das Missoes, RS - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Hydrobiologia; v. 847, n. 16 JUL 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Pithecopus rusticusis an endemic amphibian restricted to the type locality, in southern Brazil, and possibly endangered to extinction, due to habitat degradation. However, an additional threat to amphibians is the chytrid fungus, which has been associated with amphibian population declines and extinctions. Hence, we tested the hypothesis thatBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd) prevalence and infection load varies temporally and individually inP. rusticus, due to the influence of climatic and intrinsic individual factors. We swabbed adult individuals during two breeding seasons. Bd prevalence and infection load differed between breeding seasons and sampled months. In the middle of the first season, we found a peak of Bd load followed by a significant decrease. Only one infected individual was found in the middle of the second breeding season. Bd load was related to air temperature and rainfall, and individuals with lower scaled mass index had higher infection load. We showed that Bd incidence is highly variable in the same wild frog population. The temporal and individual decrease in zoospore load may suggest thatP. rusticuscan reverse high infection levels, and this may be evidence of efficient immunological responses present in this leaf frog. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/25358-3 - The chytrid fungus: from its origins to its consequences
• Grantee: Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/00099-0 - The chytrid fungus and ranavirus in species of the genus Melanophryniscus (Anura: Bufonidae)
• Grantee: Mariana Retuci Pontes
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/23622-0 - Implications of national and international bullfrog trade in spread and tolerance acquired to chytrid fungus and conservation measures of anurans
• Grantee: Luisa de Pontes Ribeiro
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate