In a vulnerable position?Preliminary survey work failsto detect the amphibianchytrid pathogen in thehighlands of Cameroon, anamphibian hotspot

摘要

Establishing the presence in a region of the lethalamphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidisis important for predicting changes in amphibianassemblages, particularly in areas of high amphibianbiodiversity. We examined 283 specimens of 26 anuranand one caecilian species inhabiting the highlandswithin North West Province, Cameroon, for thepresence ofB. dendrobatidis using real time PCR. Allsamples were negative for this pathogen. This part ofAfrica is a global hotspot for amphibian biodiversity.Our findings suggest that amphibians in this region arepossibly naive to chytrid and are, therefore, at riskfrom the introduction of this pathogen.