title: Differences in sensitivity to the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis among amphibian populations.
abstract: Contributing to the worldwide biodiversity crisis are emerging infectious diseases, which can lead to extirpations and extinctions of hosts. For example, the infectious fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is associated with worldwide amphibian population declines and extinctions. Sensitivity to Bd varies with species, season, and life stage. However, there is little information on whether sensitivity to Bd differs among populations, which is essential for understanding Bd-infection dynamics and for formulating conservation strategies. We experimentally investigated intraspecific differences in host sensitivity to Bd across 10 populations of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) raised from eggs to metamorphosis. We exposed the post-metamorphic wood frogs to Bd and monitored survival for 30 days under controlled laboratory conditions. Populations differed in overall survival and mortality rate. Infection load also differed among populations but was not correlated with population differences in risk of mortality. Such population-level variation in sensitivity to Bd may result in reservoir populations that may be a source for the transmission of Bd to other sensitive populations or species. Alternatively, remnant populations that are less sensitive to Bd could serve as sources for recolonization after epidemic events.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Oregon State University, 104 Wilkinson Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Stephanie S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Gervasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Southwestern Oklahoma University, 100 Campus Drive, Weatherford, OK, 73096, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Rickey D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Cothran
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, BT2115, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Rick A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Relyea
authors.affiliation: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Deanna H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.affiliation: Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Oregon State University, 104 Wilkinson Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, U.S.A.|Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Blaustein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008411:Chytridiomycota / Q000502:physiology*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011898:Ranidae / Q000235:genetics; D012621:Seasons
keywords: Lithobates sylvaticus; amphibian declines; chytridiomycosis; declinación de anfibios; emerging infectious disease; enfermedades infecciosas emergentes; poblaciones de reserva; quitridiomicosis; reservoir populations