Potential distribution of <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> in Argentina: implications in amphibian conservation

Within the last two decades <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> (<i>B.d.</i>), the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, seems to have become a pandemic parasite, and is proposed as one of the more important causes of amphibian declines worldwide. In Argentina, the first rep...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ghirardi, Romina, Perotti, María Gabriela, Steciow, Mónica Mirta, Arellano, María Luz, Natale, Guillermo Sebastián
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2011
País:Argentina
Institución:Universidad Nacional de La Plata
Repositorio:SEDICI (UNLP)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:sedici.unlp.edu.ar:10915/131714
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/131714
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Ciencias Exactas
Ciencias Naturales
Chytridiomycosis
Ecological niche
Amphibian
Argentina
Descripción
Sumario:Within the last two decades <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> (<i>B.d.</i>), the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, seems to have become a pandemic parasite, and is proposed as one of the more important causes of amphibian declines worldwide. In Argentina, the first report was in 2002 in <i>Leptodactylus ocellatus</i>. Since then, the fungus has expanded through different environments and species. In this study, we predict <i>B.d.</i> distribution in Argentina applying niche modelling based on reports of infected amphibians and environmental variables. The distribution hypothesis showed regions with highest suitability for <i>B.d.</i> including habitat types with (1) the most diverse amphibian fauna in Argentina such as the Parana River Basin, (2) endangered species, such as north Patagonia and northwest Andean highlands, and (3) wide range of optimum precipitation and temperatures allowing development of <i>B.d.</i>.