New records and prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in anurans from the Nazas-Aguanaval basin in the north-central region of Mexico

Abstract

In this study, we present the first records for the occurrence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), in anurans from the Nazas-Aguanaval basin in the north-central México, as well as the first records of this pathogen infecting Anaxyrus cognatus, A. debilis, A. punctatus, and Gastrophryne olivacea. We obtained 169 skin swab samples, in which Bd were detected by PCR; overall, 52 samples were Bd-positive (30%). Among the 4 anuran species, we found the highest Bd occurrence in a population of A. punctatus. Our findings provide an important foundation for future studies about the prevalence of Bd in the north-central region of Mexico. The physiological mechanisms of amphibians’ tolerance and the climatic parameters that may be linked to the variability of the prevalence of Bd, are important topics for future research.