Essential Site Maintenance: Authorea-powered sites will be updated circa 15:00-17:00 Eastern on Tuesday 5 November.
There should be no interruption to normal services, but please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any issues.

loading page

Climate as a gatekeeper: Unexpected absence of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in an Asian Chytrid hotspot suggests a narrow climatic niche for the pathogen
  • +1
  • Dan Sun,
  • Gajaba Ellepola,
  • Jayampathi Herath,
  • Madhava Meegaskumbura
Dan Sun
Guangxi University
Author Profile
Gajaba Ellepola
Guangxi University
Author Profile
Jayampathi Herath
Guangxi University
Author Profile
Madhava Meegaskumbura
Guangxi University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile

Abstract

The chytrid fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) and B. dendrobatidis (Bd) are driving amphibian extinctions and population declines worldwide. They are thought to have originated in East/Southeast Asia, and hence Asia remains crucial for understanding the ecology of these pathogens. However, Bsal screening is relatively limited in this region, particularly in hotspots where Bd lineage diversity is high. To address this gap, we conducted an extensive survey across the Guangxi region of Southern China, now considered a Bd hotspot. We examined 1230 individuals from 38 amphibian species and 36 environmental water bodies sampled during mostly the middle spring and summer months of 2019-21. However, PCR testing revealed absence of Bsal in our samples. A subsequent niche modeling analysis for Bsal suggested that the bioclimatic conditions of much of the region may not be conducive to Bsal. Although our findings show absence of Bsal in the surveyed habitats, periodic monitoring in amphibians is still needed, particularly across seasons. This is because Bsal pathogenicity could increase at relatively lower temperatures, and Bsal may be partitioning its niche with Bd across seasons. Our results suggest that the climatic conditions of the karstic Guangxi plains and perhaps competition from other Bd lineages may suppress Bsal establishment in the region. Our study provide interesting insights into Bsal niche dynamics and the knowledge generated will facilitate the conservation efforts in amphibian populations devastated by chytrid pathogens across other regions of the world.