Current and predicted distribution of the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Colombia, a hotspot of amphibian biodiversity

Global amphibian declines have been attributed to several factors including the chytrid fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), that infects hosts’ skin and causes death by inhibiting immune response and impairing osmoregulatory function. Here, we integrate extensive new field data wit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biotropica 2017-09, Vol.49 (5), p.685-694
Main Authors: Flechas, Sandra V., Paz, Andrea, Crawford, Andrew J., Sarmiento, Carolina, Acevedo, Aldemar A., Arboleda, Alejandro, Bolívar-García, Wilmar, Echeverry-Sandoval, Claudia L., Franco, Rosmery, Mojica, Cindy, Muñoz, Amanda, Palacios-Rodríguez, Pablo, Posso-Terranova, Andrés M., Quintero-Marín, Paulina, Rueda-Solano, Luis A., Castro-Herrera, Fernando, Amézquita, Adolfo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphibians
Aquatic reptiles
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Biodiversity
Biodiversity hot spots
chytridiomycosis
Current distribution
Decision making
Defence mechanisms
Distribution
DNA
Fauna
Fungi
habitat suitability
Health risks
Hot spots
Immune response
Immune system
Immunity
Infections
New records
Nucleotide sequence
Osmoregulation
Pathogens
PCR
Reptiles & amphibians
Sea level
Seasonal variations
Seasonality
Skin
species distribution model
Temperature
Terrestrial environments
Tropical Biology
water dependence
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Summary:Global amphibian declines have been attributed to several factors including the chytrid fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), that infects hosts’ skin and causes death by inhibiting immune response and impairing osmoregulatory function. Here, we integrate extensive new field data with previously published locality records of Bd in Colombia, a megadiverse and environmentally heterogeneous country in northwestern South America, to determine the relative importance of environmental variables and reproductive mode for predicting the risk of Bd infection in amphibians. We surveyed 81 localities across Colombia and sampled 2876 individual amphibians belonging to 14 taxonomic families. Through a combination of end-point PCR and real-time PCR analyses, Bd was detected in 338 individuals (12%) representing 43 localities (53%) distributed from sea level to 3200 m. We found that annual mean temperature and variables related with seasonality in precipitation and temperature appeared to define the most suitable areas for the establishment of the pathogen. In addition, prevalence of infection appeared to be higher in species with a terrestrial reproductive mode. Our study provides the first large-scale study of the current and potential distribution of Bd in the biodiversity hotspot centered on Colombia. We hope the newly provided information on the extent of the distribution of the pathogen and the potential areas where Bd may impact the amphibian fauna will inform decision making by environmental authorities and future conservation action.
ISSN:0006-3606
1744-7429
DOI:10.1111/btp.12457