Endangered amphibians infected with the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in austral temperate wetlands from Argentina

GHIRARDI, ROMINA; LEVY, MICHAEL; CORVALÁN, VALERIA; STECIOW, MÓNICA; PEROTTI, MARÍA GABRIELA

HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL

BRITISH HERPETOL SOC

Lugar: Montrose, Angus, UK; Año: 2014 vol. 24 p. 129 - 133

0268-0130

Infections caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) have been highlighted as a driver of worldwide amphibian declines. In austral temperate wetlands of South America, anurans are exposed to stressors that can increase the negative effects of emerging infectious diseases. We assessed the presence of Bd infecting anurans from different environments in Patagonia through molecular analysis of skin swabs from 122 individuals belonging to six species. We report Bd in four species, two of which are categorised as endangered, and extend the known distribution of the fungus.