Authors
Rhea Hanselmann, Argelia Rodrıguez, Margarita Lampo, Laurie Fajardo-Ramos, A Alonso Aguirre, A Marm Kilpatrick, Jon Paul Rodrıguez, Peter Daszak
Publication date
2004/11/1
Journal
Biological Conservation
Volume
120
Issue
1
Pages
115-119
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
Chytridiomycosis is an emerging fungal disease of amphibians responsible for mass mortalities and population declines globally. One hypothesis for its recent emergence is anthropogenic introduction of the causative agent Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis through trade in amphibians for pets, food and biocontrol. In this study, we examined histological samples from apparently healthy American bullfrogs Rana catesbeiana that have been introduced into the Venezuelan Andes. B. dendrobatidis was present in 96% (46/48) of the individuals examined. In contrast to cases of chytridiomycosis outbreaks, the majority (44/46) of frogs had few, small lesions consistent with little or no clinical disease and no unusual mortality was observed. These findings have implications for amphibian declines in Venezuela and elsewhere. First, the high prevalence of Batrachochytrium but lack of clinical signs or chytridiomycosis-related …
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