Abstract
<p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Objective: </strong><strong>Most </strong>research related to the decline of amphibians has been focused on the detection of the pathogenic fungus <em>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</em>. This fungus is the main pathogen detected around the world. However, research has shown the presence of another fungus, <em>Saprolegnia ferax</em>, as a cause of mortality in amphibians in North America. Our study suggests a possible interspecific transmission caused by the presence of rainbow trout; thus, amphibian declines may not be attributable only to the presence of a single pathogen, but to other organisms and factors. <strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Our study revealed the presence of <em>Saprolegnia</em> sp. in the Andean frog <em>Atelopus mittermeieri</em> using the imprinting technique with lactophenol blue staining, which allowed the typical structures of this fungus to be observed. <strong>Results:</strong> The importance of this discovery is the presence of two pathogenic fungi, <em>B. dendrobatidis </em>and <em>Saprolegnia</em>, which affecting simultaneously a population of amphibians. This finding brings attention to the eventual presence of other microorganisms that might be involved individually or collectively in the decline of amphibian species. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> This record suggests a possible transmission between rainbow trout (<em>Oncorhynchus mykiss</em>), an introduced species in the highlands of Colombia, which shares the same habitats with different species of amphibians in the Sanctuary of Flora and Fauna Guanentá in the upper river Fonce in the mid Cordillera Oriental of Colombia.</p> <p><strong>Key words: </strong>decline, Amphibians,<em> Saprolegnia</em>, Fishes, <em>Atelopus</em>, Colombia.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong> </strong></p><br />
Highlights
The study of the decline of amphibian populations in Colombia has focused on the morphological evaluation of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [1, 2]
The present study reports the discovery of the pathogen (Saprolegnia sp.) affecting an amphibian population in Colombia
During surveys for amphibian chytridiomycosis in Colombia, it was decided to evaluate these samples by histological observation of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (previously reported by Ruiz and Rueda in 2008 [2] in the same population of amphibians)
Summary
The study of the decline of amphibian populations in Colombia has focused on the morphological evaluation of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [1, 2]. Saprolegnia is a pathogen common in fish populations and has been found in some amphibian populations around the world [5]. Saprolegnia has been recognized for years as a major eukaryotic pathogen of freshwater fish, distributed worldwide [6]. It causes mortality in fish farms, due to its ability to colonize the eggs and fish in early developmental stages, infect wounds and penetrate the epidermis using enzymes or mycelium. The ability of Saprolegnia to produce hydrolytic enzymes that allow the mycelium to penetrate the epidermis of the host causes tissue damage, production of toxins and imbalance of body fluids. Saprolegnia spp. are multihost infectious agents in different species of fish, frogs and salamanders [9, 10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
