A Brazilian anuran ( Hylodes magalhaesi : Leptodactylidae) infected by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis : A conservation concern.

摘要

Several studies have associated the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis with anuranpopulation declines worldwide. To date, the fungus has been found in Africa, the Americas, Australia, andEurope. However, it has never been reported to occur in the Atlantic forest or Brazil. Based on morphological,histological, and molecular data, we encountered evidence of B. dendrobatidis infection in a high-altitudestream-dwelling Brazilian anuran species, Hylodes magalhaesi (Leptodactylidae). One population(Municipality of Camanducaia, State of Minas Gerais) was surveyed from 2001 to 2005. Tadpoles lacking teethwere observed and collected in 2004. Histological and molecular analyses identified infection by B. dendrobatidis.Although infected tadpoles seem nowadays to co-exist with the disease, our results are alarming dueto the highly endangered situation of the Brazilian Atlantic forest and its fauna. Effects of the chytrid infectionon the studied population are still unknown. Further investigations are needed to provide information onits distribution in relation to other populations of H. magalhaesi.