Changes in Population Size and Survival in Atelopus spumarius (Anura: Bufonidae) are not Correlated with Chytrid Prevalence

Abstract:

Approximately one-third of amphibian species are experiencing population declines. Among the most affected groups are the Harlequin frogs (Bufonidae: Atelopus), nearly all of which are threatened with extinction. We monitored one of the last known Ecuadorian populations of Atelopus spumarius (Pebas Stubfoot Toad) with a mark–recapture survey between February 2009 and December 2010. We aimed to determine the effect of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), previously recorded at the site, on population size and survival. We also analyzed the effect of selective logging which occurred along the transect in April 2010. We tested every individual captured or recaptured for Bd presence using end-point PCR. All 679 Bd swabs (from 356 individuals) were negative, suggesting that Bd did not influence population size and survival. Population size increased during the first 9 months of …

Año de publicación:

2014

Keywords:

Fuente:

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