Widespread presence of the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in wild amphibian communities in Madagascar

Molly C. Bletz (1, 2) , Gonçalo M. Rosa (3, 4, 5) , Franco Andreone (6, 7) , Elodie A Courtois (8, 9) , Dirk S. Schmeller (10, 11) , Nirhy H. C. Rabibisoa (7, 12) , Falitiana C. E. Rabemananjara (7, 13) , Liliane Raharivololoniaina (13) , Miguel Vences (2) , Ché Weldon (14) , Devin Edmonds , Christopher Raxworthy (15) , Reid N. Harris (1) , Matthew C. Fisher (16) , Angelica Crottini (17)

1 James Madison University
2 Technische Universität Braunschweig = Technical University of Braunschweig [Braunschweig]
3 University of Kent [Canterbury]
4 INSTITUTE OF ZOOLOGY LONDON GBR
5 ULISBOA - Universidade de Lisboa = University of Lisbon
6 Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali di Torino
7 IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature
8 SEEM - Station d’Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis
9 LEEISA - Laboratoire Ecologie, Evolution, Interactions des Systèmes amazoniens
10 LEFE - Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement
11 UFZ - Helmholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung = Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
12 Université de Mahajanga
13 Université d'Antananarivo
14 NWU - North-West University [Potchefstroom]
15 AMNH - American Museum of Natural History [New York, USA] = Musée américain d'histoire naturelle [New York, USA]
16 Imperial College London
17 Universidade do Porto = University of Porto

Amphibian chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been a significant driver of amphibian declines. While globally widespread, Bd had not yet been reported from within Madagascar. We document surveys conducted across the country between 2005 and 2014, showing Bd's first record in 2010. Subsequently, Bd was detected in multiple areas, with prevalence reaching up to 100%. Detection of Bd appears to be associated with mid to high elevation sites and to have a seasonal pattern, with greater detectability during the dry season. Lineage-based PCR was performed on a subset of samples. While some did not amplify with any lineage probe, when a positive signal was observed, samples were most similar to the Global Panzootic Lineage (BdGPL). These results may suggest that Bd arrived recently, but do not exclude the existence of a previously undetected endemic Bd genotype. Representatives of all native anuran families have tested Bd-positive and exposure trials confirm infection by Bd is possible. Bd's presence could pose significant threats to Madagascar's unique “megadiverse” amphibians.

Mots clés: pathogenic fungus; Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; amphibian communities; Madagascar

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

Molly C. Bletz, Gonçalo M. Rosa, Franco Andreone, Elodie A Courtois, Dirk S. Schmeller, et al.. Widespread presence of the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in wild amphibian communities in Madagascar. Scientific Reports, 2015, 5, ⟨10.1038/srep08633⟩. ⟨hal-02963051⟩