BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS OCCURRENCE IN DEAD AMPHIBIANS OF CENTRAL MEXICO: A REPORT OF Ambystoma altamirani AND Lithobates montezumae.

Abstract

Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal), is an infectious disease of amphibians linked to mass amphibian die-offs worldwide. In this study, we sampled four dead and dying individuals of Ambystoma altamirani and Lithobates montezumae to detect the presence of Bd and Bsal. By real-time PCR (qPCR) and histopathology methods, we found the presence of Bd and the absence of Bsal in all individuals sampled. Our study indicates that chytridiomycosis may act as a threat for these species and highlight that future surveys are urgently needed to evaluate the Bd infection on populations of A. altamirani and L. montezumae.