First report of chytridiomycosis in the Southern Yungas Andean forest: a threat to the endangered La Banderita marsupial frog Gastrotheca gracilis

Abstract

This work reports the first record of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infection in the endangered La Banderita marsupial frog Gastrotheca gracilis from the Southern Yungas Andean forest. We analysed swab samples from the oral discs of 20 tadpoles and histological sections from two post-metamorphic individuals. We found 60 % of the tadpoles to be infected, and the histological sections revealed the presence of zoosporangia of Bd in different maturation stages. The signs of infection confirm the presence of Bd, which may pose a threat to the endangered La Banderita marsupial frog populations. Keywords: conservation, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, chytridfungus infection, Hemiphractidae, tadpoles