Terrestrial Growth in Northern Leopard Frogs Reared in the Presence or Absence of Predators and Exposed to the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus at Metamorphosis

Abstract

Abstract Pathogens can have a range of effects on organisms across environmental gradients; although lethal effects may receive greater attention, sublethal impacts can have important population- and community-level impacts. In this laboratory study, we examined the effects of exposure to the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]) on Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) metamorphs that had been reared in the presence or absence of crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) predators in aquatic environments to determine whether prior predator exposure influenced the effect of Bd on terrestrial growth and survival of frogs. Although Bd exposure following metamorphosis did not impact Northern Leopard Frog survival, exposure did significantly reduce terrestrial growth, indicating that Bd exposure can have consequences that can indirectly impact populations, because size of amphibians is positively correlated with overwinter survival and fecundity. Exposure to predators during larval developm...