Crossing the threshold: an amphibian assemblage highly infected with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the southern Brazilian Atlantic forest

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Author(s):	Preuss, Jackson Fabio ; Lambertini, Carolina ; Leite, Domingos da Silva ; Toledo, Luis Felipe ; Lucas, Elaine Maria Total Authors: 5
Document type:	Journal article
Source:	Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment; v. 51, n. 1, p. 10-pg., 2016-04-01.
Abstract
The fungal infection caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in amphibians is known to be lethal when infection intensity values exceed loads of 10,000 zoospores per individual. We investigated Bd infection intensity in 100 anurans of southern Brazil. Almost half of the individuals were infected and the intensity ranged from four to about 156,000 zoospore genomic equivalents. We found no clinical signs of chytridiomycosis and no evidence of mortality. However, we observed a reduction in the number of infected individuals with loads above 10,000 zoospores. This fact could be considered indirect evidence that individuals with high loads are removed from the population. (AU)

FAPESP's process:	11/51694-7 - Into the heart of an epidemic: a US-Brazil collaboration for integrative studies of the amphibian-killing fungus in Brazil
Grantee:	Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
Support Opportunities:	Regular Research Grants


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