title: Long-term monitoring of tropical alpine habitat change, Andean anurans, and chytrid fungus in the Cordillera Vilcanota, Peru: Results from a decade of study.
abstract: The Cordillera Vilcanota in southern Peru is the second largest glacierized range in the tropics and home to one of the largest high-alpine lakes, Sibinacocha (4,860 m). Here,Telmatobius marmoratus(marbled water frog),Rhinella spinulosa(Andean toad), andPleurodema marmoratum(marbled four-eyed frog) have expanded their range vertically within the past century to inhabit newly formed ponds created by ongoing deglaciation. These anuran populations, geographically among the highest (5,200-5,400 m) recorded globally, are being impacted by the chytrid fungusBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd), and the disease it causes, chytridiomycosis. In this study, we report results from over a decade of monitoring these three anuran species, their habitat, andBdinfection status. Our observations reveal dynamic changes in habitat including ongoing rapid deglaciation (18.4 m/year widening of a corridor between retreating glaciers from 2005 to 2015), new pond formation, changes in vegetation in amphibian habitat, and widespread occurrence ofBdin amphibians in seven sites. Three of these sites have tested positive forBdover a 9- to 12-year period. In addition, we observed a widespread reduction inT. marmoratusencounters in the Vilcanota in 2008, 2009, and 2012, while encounters increased in 2013 and 2015. Despite the rapid and dynamic changes in habitat under a warming climate, continued presence ofBdin the environment for over a decade, and a reduction in one of three anuran species, we document that these anurans continue to breed and survive in this high Andean environment. High variability in anuran encounters across sites and plasticity in these populations across habitats, sites, and years are all factors that could favor repopulation postdecline. Preserving the connectivity of wetlands in the Cordillera Vilcanota is therefore essential in ensuring that anurans continue to breed and adapt as climate change continues to reshape the environment.
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Conservation Society Zoological Health Program Bronx NY USA.
authors.forename: Tracie A
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3658-1364
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Seimon
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Planning Appalachian State University Boone NC USA.
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seimon
authors.affiliation: School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University Stony Brook NY USA.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yager
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University Miami FL USA.
authors.forename: Kelsey
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reider
authors.affiliation: Museo de Historia Natural Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco Cusco Peru.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.affiliation: Ausangate Environmental LLC Boulder CO USA.
authors.forename: Preston
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sowell
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco Herbario Cusco Peru.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tupayachi
authors.affiliation: Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences University of Colorado Boulder Boulder CO USA.
authors.forename: Bronwen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Konecky
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Conservation Society Zoological Health Program Bronx NY USA.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McAloose
authors.affiliation: Ministry for Primary Industries Wellington New Zealand.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halloy
keywords: Telmatobius; amphibian decline; chytridiomycosis; climate change; deglaciation; ecological succession; highest amphibians; tropical Andes