title: Pathophysiology in mountain yellow-legged frogs (Rana muscosa) during a chytridiomycosis outbreak.
abstract: The disease chytridiomycosis is responsible for declines and extirpations of amphibians worldwide. Chytridiomycosis is caused by a fungal pathogen (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) that infects amphibian skin. Although we have a basic understanding of the pathophysiology from laboratory experiments, many mechanistic details remain unresolved and it is unknown if disease development is similar in wild amphibian populations. To gain a better understanding of chytridiomycosis pathophysiology in wild amphibian populations, we collected blood biochemistry measurements during an outbreak in mountain yellow-legged frogs (Rana muscosa) in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. We found that pathogen load is associated with disruptions in fluid and electrolyte balance, yet is not associated with fluctuations acid-base balance. These findings enhance our knowledge of the pathophysiology of this disease and indicate that disease development is consistent across multiple species and in both laboratory and natural conditions. We recommend integrating an understanding of chytridiomycosis pathophysiology with mitigation practices to improve amphibian conservation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California United States of America.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Voyles
authors.forename: Vance T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Vredenburg
authors.forename: Tate S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Tunstall
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Cheryl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.forename: Erica Bree
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Rosenblum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D008411:Chytridiomycota; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011898:Ranidae / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000502:physiology