BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 12 February 2025 between 18:00-21:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
31 December 2024 Detection of the Fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Anurans from the Semiarid Region of Brazil: new Infection Records for Endemic Species
Mirian dos Santos Mendes, Francisca Andréa da Silva Oliveira, Luzia Gabrielle Zeferino de Castro, Robson Waldemar Ávila, Felipe Augusto Correia Monteiro, Vânia Maria Maciel Melo, Paulo Cascon, Denise Cavalcante Hissa
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has affected amphibians globally since the 1970s, being considered the main cause of their decline worldwide. The present study is the first to assess the presence of Bd in anuran populations in dry and wet tropical forests in Ceará state, northeastern Brazil. Samples were collected in different environmental landscapes throughout the dominant dry forests of the Caatinga and and the relict moist tropical forest (brejos de altitude) in the localities of the Monte Alegre Private Natural Heritage Reserve, Ibiapaba Plateau, Serra de Maranguape, Araripe Plateau, Farias Brito, and Campos Sales. The dry forests of Caatinga harbor amphibian species typical of open areas, while relict moist tropical forests possess endemic and potentially threatened species. The Caatinga is a peculiar Brazilian biome that has been neglected in scientific research and conservation efforts, highlighting the importance of our study. Anuran skin samples were collected from adults using swabs, and DNA was extracted and amplified by PCR using Bd-specific primers. In total, 125 samples were analyzed, comprising 28 species of eight anuran families, with 20 (71%) of the sampled species testing positive for Bd. This is the first record on Bd infection for Adenomera juikitam, Boana raniceps, Dendropsophus nanus, D. soaresi, Leptodactylus troglodytes, L. vastus, Physalaemus cicada, Pristimantis relictus, Proceratophrys ararype, Pseudopaludicola mystacalis and Scinax x-signatus. Particularly the Bd-positive species Proceratophrys ararype and Pristimantis relictus can be considered as greatest concern, as they were recently described and their known distribution is restricted to the high elevation relictual moist forests.

Mirian dos Santos Mendes, Francisca Andréa da Silva Oliveira, Luzia Gabrielle Zeferino de Castro, Robson Waldemar Ávila, Felipe Augusto Correia Monteiro, Vânia Maria Maciel Melo, Paulo Cascon, and Denise Cavalcante Hissa "Detection of the Fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Anurans from the Semiarid Region of Brazil: new Infection Records for Endemic Species," South American Journal of Herpetology 33(1), 24-32, (31 December 2024). https://doi.org/10.2994/SAJH-D-22-00032.1
Received: 2 September 2022; Accepted: 10 July 2024; Published: 31 December 2024
KEYWORDS
amphibians
Bd.
Caatinga
Ceará
Chytridiomycosis
pathogen
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top