Presence of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in a Vulnerable frog in Trinidad, West Indies

Abstract

Amphibian chytridiomycosis occurs on a small proportion of West Indian islands, but the entire Caribbean region, including Trinidad, offers a suitable environment for the infection. We report the presence of the causative agent Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in 2 out of 12 populations sampled of the Vulnerable Trinidad stream frog, Mannophryne trinitatis. We analyzed 184 skin swabs collected from wild frogs using real-time PCR analysis. Follow-up sampling determined a prevalence of Bd infection of 3 and 23% in these 2 populations. We did not find any evidence of associated clinical disease. Bd-positive populations were located at the highest elevations studied (425 to 450 m). These 2 populations had more juveniles than other populations, and juveniles were more likely to be infected than adults. Our results suggest that sampling juveniles may provide the greatest sensitivity for any future monitoring for the presence of Bd in M. trinitatis populations in Trinidad.