| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
dos Santos, Rosati Coelho
;
Molinari De Bastiani, Veluma Lalu
;
Medina, Daniel
;
Ribeiro, Luisa Pontes
;
Pontes, Mariana Retuci
;
Leite, Domingos da Silva
;
Toledo, Luis Felipe
;
de Souza Franco, Gilza Maria
;
Lucas, Elaine Maria
Total Authors: 9
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | HERPETOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY; v. 15, n. 1, p. 13-pg., 2020-04-01. |
| Abstract | |
American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) arc considered important reservoirs and vectors of the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobalidis (Bd), which can cause the disease chytridiomycosis in many amphibian species. In this study, we assessed the potential of bullfrog farms as centers for Bd dispersion. Specifically, we compared the incidence of Bd in captive and wild populations of bullfrogs by sampling six frog farms and eight natural ponds located at different distances from frog farms in southern Brazil. All sampled frog farms and natural ponds had infected individuals, but frog farms had a higher prevalence of Bd than natural ponds. While prevalence was high, infection intensity was low. In contrast, infection intensity was similar across natural ponds and frog farms. The distance of natural ponds to frog farms had no influence on Bd infection prevalence or load among bullfrogs; however, considering the higher prevalence of Rd in frog farms, the data suggest that frog farms might act as a constant source of this pathogen to the natural environment via escape and releases of frogs and through the release of contaminated water. Therefore, we emphasize the need for additional studies to assess the effect of the different types of frog farm management on the incidence of Bd in natural environments and encourage efforts to monitor free-living populations in surrounding areas. We also highlight the need for urgent measures to tighten the control and regulation of frog farms throughout Brazil to reduce their impact on native amphibians. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 16/03344-0 - Frog farms in the state of São Paulo and its relationship with amphibian chytrids and conservation |
| Grantee: | Luisa de Pontes Ribeiro |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/08650-8 - Amphibian microbiome: the first line of defense against chytrid infection |
| Grantee: | Daniel Christofer Medina Lopez |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |
| 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 |