Amphibian chytrid infections along the highest elevational gradient of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Author(s)

Zornosa-Torres, Camila ^{[1, 2]} ; Lambertini, Carolina ^[2] ; Toledo, Luis Felipe ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Programa Posgrad Ecol, BR-13083865 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Anim, Lab Hist Nat Antibios Brasileiros LaHNAB, BR-13083862 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS; v. 144, p. 99-106, 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Environmental variation along elevational gradients shapes conditions for pathogen development, which influences disease outcomes. Chytridiomycosis is a non-vectored disease caused by the aquatic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and is responsible for massive declines of amphibian populations all over the world. Several biotic and abiotic factors are known to influence Bd infection dynamics in amphibians, including temperature and host species richness. Here, we quantified Bd prevalence and load along an elevational gradient in the Caparao National Park (CNP), Brazil, and tested for associations of Bd infections with elevation, temperature, and species richness. We hypothesized that Bd infections would increase as local species richness decreased with elevation. We detected Bd along the entire elevational gradient and found a negative association between infection load and elevation. We did not detect significant associations between infection prevalence and elevation. Our findings are consistent with other wide elevational gradient studies, but are contrary to 2 other studies performed in the Atlantic Forest. We did not find the minimum elevational range that should be sampled to detect the influence of elevation on Bd variation. Our study represents the widest elevational gradient that has been sampled in Brazil and contributes to a better understanding of Bd distribution and dynamics in natural systems. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/25358-3 - The chytrid fungus: from its origins to its consequences
• Grantee: Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/18335-5 - Passive air transportation of an amphibian lethal pathogen in high elevation sites: practical applications for protected areas conservation in the State of São Paulo
• Grantee: Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants