Local phenotypic variation in the amphibian-killing fungus predicts infection dynamics

Abstract

Declines and extinctions of amphibian populations and species are associated with several causative agents, which one of the mains is the chytridiomycosis. This emerging infectious disease, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is already reported to all continents. Declines appear to be intensified in elevated areas, such as in the Andes (South America), the mountain ranges of Central America, and the Sierra Nevada (USA, North America). In Brazil several cases of infection were reported in the Atlantic forest, from the sea level up to 2000 meters. So far only one study evaluated the effect of altitude in Brazil. However, this study was based on different species at different elevations; therefore, specific differences, such as susceptibility to infection and microhabitat uses, were not considered. Thus, I selected Hylodes phyllodes as model for our study of prevalence in an altitudinal gradient, from the sea level to about 1000 m, occupying the very same microhabitat (rivulets within forests). I will also evaluate factors that may influence rates of infection, such as morphology and growth rates of the different strains of each altitude. (AU)