What is it about?
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, that infects hosts’ skin and causes death by inhibiting immune response and impairing osmoregulatory function. 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. 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. Our study provides the first large-scale study of the current and potential distribution of Bd in the biodiversity hotspot centered on Colombia.
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Why is it important?
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.
Perspectives
It is a good idea to make traceability of this type of epidemics in her lives, so that species such as amphibians provide information on environmental health states.
Doctor Fernando Castro-Herrera
Universidad del Valle
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Current and predicted distribution of the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
in Colombia, a hotspot of amphibian biodiversity, Biotropica, July 2017, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/btp.12457.
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