The devastating chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a known scourge of amphibian populations worldwide, thriving in moist conditions and when frogs experience temperatures outside their optimal range. Research of lab collaborators conducted in Brazil's Atlantic Forest explored a new vulnerability: the reproductive habitat mismatch hypothesis. This suggests frogs become more susceptible to Bd when found outside the type of habitat (aquatic or terrestrial) they require for breeding. Analyzing nearly 3,500 frogs across 44 species, scientists confirmed that while high rainfall increased Bd prevalence and intensity overall, this negative impact was significantly worse for individuals captured in habitats mismatched from their species' breeding requirements.
These findings carry worrying implications, especially considering environmental changes. Increased rainfall, potentially driven by climate change, will likely elevate Bd risk in tropical areas. Crucially, this risk will be particularly acute for amphibian populations forced out of their preferred reproductive habitats due to factors like habitat destruction or thermal stress. Protecting amphibians effectively means not just conserving space, but ensuring they have access to the correct environments needed for breeding, thereby minimizing stress and bolstering their defense against this deadly fungus.
These findings carry worrying implications, especially considering environmental changes. Increased rainfall, potentially driven by climate change, will likely elevate Bd risk in tropical areas. Crucially, this risk will be particularly acute for amphibian populations forced out of their preferred reproductive habitats due to factors like habitat destruction or thermal stress. Protecting amphibians effectively means not just conserving space, but ensuring they have access to the correct environments needed for breeding, thereby minimizing stress and bolstering their defense against this deadly fungus.
Citation: Gilbert N.A., R.C. Bell, A. Catenazzi, R.A. Martins, S. Buttimer, W.J. Neely, C. Lambertini, V. Saenz Calderon, C.F.B. Haddad, C.G. Becker, G.V. DiRenzo. 2025. Reproductive habitat mismatch influences chytrid infection dynamics in a tropical amphibian community. Global Ecology and Conservation 60: e03599. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03599
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