Inter-Research > DAO > v136 > n2 > p147-155  
DAO
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

via Mailchimp

DAO 136:147-155 (2019)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03402

New records of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the state of Bahia, Brazil: histological analysis in anuran amphibian collections

F. O. Amorim1,*, L. A. Pimentel2, L. F. Machado3, A. D. C. Cavalcanti3, M. F. Napoli1, F. A. Juncá4

1Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia - UFBA, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina Campus, CEP 40170-115, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
2Veterinary Pathology Sector, University Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Recôncavo of Bahia - UFRB, Rua Rui Barbosa, no. 710, Centro, Cruz das Almas Campus, CEP 44380-000, Bahia, Brazil
3Ecology Collegiate, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Rua Thomas Guimarães, s/n, Senhor do Bonfim Campus, CEP 48970-000, Bahia, Brazil
4Zoology Museum, Amphibians and Reptiles Division, State University of Feira de Santana - UEFS, Av. Transnordestina, s/n, Novo Horizonte, CEP 44036-900, Bahia, Brazil
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: Infection caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) produces chytridiomycosis, a disease considered one of the main causes of amphibian population declines in the world. In Brazil, Bd has been recorded in several regions, but mainly in the Atlantic Forest biome. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Bd in amphibian species in Bahia State to test the hypothesis that Bd is widespread in other Brazilian biomes. Using histological analysis, we evaluated the skin of 190 anurans of 85 species preserved in herpetological collections. Based on these analyses, the distribution of Bd was extended approximately 400 km to the west, 150 km to the north and 105 km to the east in the state of Bahia. Of the 190 specimens analyzed, Bd infection was diagnosed in 16 individuals, from 14 species, with the earliest record from a specimen collected in 1996 in the Caatinga biome. We identified Bd in 13 adult specimens, including 2 individuals showing suggestive signs of the disease (loss of skin pigmentation). In tadpoles, we recorded fungal structures in the oral region and on the epidermis adjacent to the rows of teeth. The results of this study corroborate the prediction that Bd is widespread in the Atlantic Forest biome, and suggest that it is widespread in the other biomes of the state (Cerrado and Caatinga, at least since 1996). Conservation efforts should involve long-term studies aimed at providing information on the dynamics of the infection, its relationship with its host and its effect on amphibian populations.


KEY WORDS: Amphibians · Chytridiomycosis · Emerging infectious disease · Population decline of anurans · Extinction


Full text in pdf format
Supplementary material
Cite this article as: Amorim FO, Pimentel LA, Machado LF, Cavalcanti ADC, Napoli MF, Juncá FA (2019) New records of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the state of Bahia, Brazil: histological analysis in anuran amphibian collections. Dis Aquat Org 136:147-155. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03402

Export citation
Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn

 Previous article Next article