Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans is the predominant chytrid fungus in Vietnamese salamanders
The amphibian chytrid fungi, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd ) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal ), pose a major threat to amphibian biodiversity. Recent evidence suggests Southeast Asia as a potential cradle for both fungi, which likely resulted in widespread host-pathogen co-existence. We sampled 5...
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Published in | Scientific reports Vol. 7; no. 1; p. 44443 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
Nature Publishing Group UK
13.03.2017
Nature Publishing Group |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The amphibian chytrid fungi,
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd
) and
B. salamandrivorans (Bsal
), pose a major threat to amphibian biodiversity. Recent evidence suggests Southeast Asia as a potential cradle for both fungi, which likely resulted in widespread host-pathogen co-existence. We sampled 583 salamanders from 8 species across Vietnam in 55 locations for
Bsal
and
Bd
, determined scaled mass index as a proxy for fitness and collected environmental data.
Bsal
was found within 14 of the 55 habitats (2 of which it was detected in 2013), in 5 salamandrid species, with a prevalence of 2.92%. The globalized pandemic lineage of
Bd
was found within one pond on one species with a prevalence of 0.69%. Combined with a complete lack of correlation between infection and individual body condition and absence of indication of associated disease, this suggests low level pathogen endemism and
Bsal
and
Bd
co-existence with Vietnamese salamandrid populations.
Bsal
was more widespread than
Bd
, and occurs at temperatures higher than tolerated by the type strain, suggesting a wider thermal niche than currently known. Therefore, this study provides support for the hypothesis that these chytrid fungi may be endemic to Asia and that species within this region may act as a disease reservoir. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 These authors contributed equally to this work. |
ISSN: | 2045-2322 2045-2322 |
DOI: | 10.1038/srep44443 |