Prevalence of pathogenic chytrid fungus on a flagship species, Atelopus varius (Anura, Bufonidae), Las Tablas Protection Zone, Costa Rica
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22458/urj.v14iS1.3880Keywords:
amphibians, endangered species, chytridiomycosis, harlequin frog, monitoring, PILAAbstract
Introduction: The harlequin toad, Atelopus varius, is critically endangered and was declared “apparently extinct” in Costa Rica in 1996. One of the possible causes was the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. A live population was rediscovered in Las Tablas in 2008 and here we analyze the situation with this fungus. Objective: To evaluate prevalence and probability of infection of the toad by B. dendrobatidis. Methods: We collected swabs skin samples from live individuals (for DNA tests) and histological pieces from dead individuals (for direct microscopic observation). Results: From 363, only 6% had the fungus, particularly subadults. Conclusion: The toad population seems to be stable but care must be taken not to spread the fungus.
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