Investigation of Prevalence of Co-Infection by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Ranavirus in Endemic Beyşehir Frog (Pelophylax caralitanus)

Abstract

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Ranavirus (Rv) are among the pathogens responsible for the rapid decline of amphibian populations worldwide. The aim of this study is to determine the presence of both pathogens in the endemic Beyşehir frog population living in the Lakes Region in the southwestern Anatolia between 2014-2015 years.  Prevalences of each pathogen and co-infections (i.e., presence infection with both of Bd and Rv in same animal) were 48.6 %, 10.3 % and 7.0 % respectively and differences in prevalences were detected among lakes and years. This study  is the first report of Rv infection and co-infection with Bd and Rv of endemic Beyşehir frog (Pelophylax caralitanus) in Turkey. Although there are infection by both pathogens, it is unclear that how effective in declining of P.caralitanus population.