The species and the environment affect the germs affected by parasite sponges

the mushroom Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis causes a potentially fatal infection in amphibians. It is considered one of the reasons why the number of amphibians has decreased in the world. In recent years, the fungus has been found in several species in Sweden. In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers at the University of Uppsala showed that the proportion of infected individuals varied considerably from one species to another and that the nature of dust and the surrounding landscape were concerned.

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is an aquatic parasitic fungus responsible for the disease chytridiomycosis in semen animals. Chytridomycosis affects the water balance of amphibians and leads to cardiac arrest.

The study was conducted in Skåne, where there are twelve species of seedlings. The current study includes common frog, common bug, frog, glandular frog, spotted stink bug and turtle. The proportion of individuals infected within the species varied considerably. Common insects and frogs had the lowest proportion of infected individuals, while green-flag insects, beach legs, and American frogs had the highest percentage of individuals. infected.

Besides the fact that the percentage of infected individuals differs from one species to another, the environment in the ponds and the surrounding landscape also has an impact on the environment. The proportion of infected individuals increased if the pH of the pond was high and decreased if there were forests and many surrounding ponds in the landscape.

Previous studies have shown that the fungus is sensitive to temperature and pH. Overall, the number of infected individuals being higher in high pH ponds, the results suggest that the fungus thrives best in such ponds. Similarly, the forest in the landscape can affect the presence of the fungus because it is relatively colder there than the more open landscapes.

Some germs avoid colder environments and dirt with specific pH values, which also affects the appearance. The researchers also showed that the proportion of infected individuals decreased with the number of surrounding ponds, which could be due to a so-called dilution effect, that is, the probability of To be infected decreases with the number of frogs or frog species in the landscape.

The fungus is widespread in Europe and Sweden and the study will provide a better understanding of the factors that influence the presence of the fungus and, as such, may pose a high risk of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis easier to identify in more northerly climates.

Watch movies where scientists overcome germs to find the DNA of the fungus.

For more information contact Simon Kärvemo, tel: +46 70 693 76 28 e-mail: [email protected]

Publication: S Kärvemo, Meurling S, Berger D, Höglund J, Laurila A (2018) Effects of host species and environmental factors on the prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidisin in Northern Europe. PLOS ONE 13 (10): e0199852.

Read about previous studies on the parasitic sponge Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.