The chytrid fungus and ranavirus in species of the genus Melanophryniscus (Anura: Bufonidae)

Abstract

Emerging infectious diseases are amongst the main threats to the world's biodiversity, with the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and the virus Ranavirus (Rv) being considered as major factors to amphibian declines. Both pathogens are transmitted through water or direct contact with infected individuals, casing their dispersion to be extremely effective. Although there are reports of Bd and Rv coinfection on native populations in the Americas and Europe, in Brazil there are no studies of such interaction, nor the presence of this deadly virus in endangered amphibian species. The species of the genus Melanophryniscus (Anura: Bufonidae) occur mostly in Southern South America, where both the fungus and the virus have been detected. Knowing that environmental factors affect the dynamics of chytridiomycosis and ranavirus in nature, this study aims to investigate the presence and interaction of Rv and Bd in anurans of the genus Melanophryniscus in the Southern Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Therefore, through molecular techniques for pathogen detection, our goal is to clarify the patterns of Bd and Rv infection in wild Melanophryniscus, using environmental variables as predictors of infections by one or both pathogens. Our results will benefit management plans for the conservation of all species, but especially our endangered species as they are already submitted to several other threats. (AU)