Effects of an infectious fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, on amphibian predator-prey interactions.

Barbara A Han,Andrew R Blaustein,Catherine L Searle

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0016675

Barbara A Han, Andrew R Blaustein + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016675

Copy DOI

Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Feb 2, 2011
Citations: 68	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Oregon State University, University of Georgia

Abstract

The effects of parasites and pathogens on host behaviors may be particularly important in predator-prey contexts, since few animal behaviors are more crucial for ensuring immediate survival than the avoidance of lethal predators in nature. We examined the effects of an emerging fungal pathogen of amphibians, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, on anti-predator behaviors of tadpoles of four frog species. We also investigated whether amphibian predators consumed infected prey, and whether B. dendrobatidis caused differences in predation rates among prey in laboratory feeding trials. We found differences in anti-predator behaviors among larvae of four amphibian species, and show that infected tadpoles of one species (Anaxyrus boreas) were more active and sought refuge more frequently when exposed to predator chemical cues. Salamander predators consumed infected and uninfected tadpoles of three other prey species at similar rates in feeding trials, and predation risk among prey was unaffected by B. dendrobatidis. Collectively, our results show that even sub-lethal exposure to B. dendrobatidis can alter fundamental anti-predator behaviors in some amphibian prey species, and suggest the unexplored possibility that indiscriminate predation between infected and uninfected prey (i.e., non-selective predation) could increase the prevalence of this widely distributed pathogen in amphibian populations. Because one of the most prominent types of predators in many amphibian systems is salamanders, and because salamanders are susceptible to B. dendrobatidis, our work suggests the importance of considering host susceptibility and behavioral changes that could arise from infection in both predators and prey.

Highlights

In ecological communities, few responses are more important for immediate prey survival than contending with lethal predators
As a first investigation of the potential impacts of a widespread infectious fungus on predator-prey behavioral interactions in amphibian communities, we examined how two common anti-predator behaviors in four species of prey were affected by predator chemical cues and exposure to Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)
We examined whether predators respond to infection risk by consuming uninfected prey more frequently compared to infected prey

Summary

Introduction

Few responses are more important for immediate prey survival than contending with lethal predators. In this context, infectious agents such as parasites and pathogens can influence host anti-predatory behaviors with important consequences for predator-prey interactions. Despite evidence from other predator-prey systems suggesting that infection can greatly impact both host population and infectious disease dynamics, the role of Bd in higher level community interactions, such as predator-prey interactions, has not been well-explored (but see [23,24])

Methods

Results

Conclusion