Journal
DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS
Volume 92, Issue 2-3, Pages 187-191Publisher
INTER-RESEARCH
DOI: 10.3354/dao02250
Keywords
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Amphibians; Trade; Andes; Peru; High elevation
Categories
Funding
- Amazon Conservation Association
- Rufford Small Grants Foundation
- Chicago Board
- Amphibian Specialist Group
- NSF [EF-0723563]
- Swiss National Science Foundation [116305]
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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.
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