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Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the live frog trade of Telmatobius (Anura: Ceratophryidae) in the tropical Andes
DAO (2010)
  • Edgar Lehr, Illinois Wesleyan University
  • Alessandro Catenazzi
  • Vance Vredenburg
Abstract
Species of frogs in the genus Telmatobius are traded and sold for human consumption in the Andes and in coastal cities of Peru and Bolivia. These frogs are harvested from wild populations. We report high prevalence of infection by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in live frogs purchased at the main market in Cusco, Peru, from January 2008 to January 2010. We suggest that the transport of native anurans through the live frog trade could facilitate the spread of this fungus among Andean frogs. The tropical Andes are the most important biodiversity hotspot for amphibians. Because many neotropical taxa are known to be susceptible to chytridiomycosis, the presence of a large reservoir of infection in the frog trade poses a significant threat to amphibian conservation.
Keywords
  • Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis,
  • amphibians,
  • trade,
  • andes,
  • Peru,
  • high elevation.
Publication Date
2010
Publisher Statement
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms (DAO) is published by Inter-Research Science Center, http://www.int-res.com/about-ir/.
Citation Information
Edgar Lehr, Alessandro Catenazzi and Vance Vredenburg. "Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the live frog trade of Telmatobius (Anura: Ceratophryidae) in the tropical Andes" DAO Vol. 92 Iss. 2-3 (2010)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/edgar_lehr/70/