Pathogenic fungus causes density- and trait-mediated trophic cascades in an aquatic community

Pathogens can alter species composition and ecosystem function by causing direct and indirect effects on communities. Zoospores of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (hereafter, Bd), a pathogen implicated in worldwide amphibian declines, can be consumed by filter-feeding zooplankton and can damage mouthparts of infected amphibian larvae. Consequently, we hypothesized that this pathogen would affect the abundance of zooplankton and survival and feeding abilities of larval amphibian hosts. In turn, this could affect the algal food resources of zooplankton and tadpoles, which can include phytoplankton and periphyton. We tested these hypotheses by manipulating the presence of western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) larvae and Bd in outdoor mesocosms and quantifying the densities of amphibians, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and periphyton. Bd infections reduced amphibian larval densities, but this only weakly benefitted periphyton (a density-mediated indirect effect). After controlling for larval densities, mesocosms with Bd-exposed larvae had significantly more periphyton biomass than mesocosms with larvae but no Bd, consistent with infection-induced mouthpart damage reducing larval feeding rates on attached algae (a trait-mediated indirect effect). In fact, the estimated trait-mediated effect of Bd on periphyton biomass was larger than the density-mediated effect. However, we did not find evidence that Bd exposure triggered a switch to filter-feeding phytoplankton. The presence of Bd was associated with increased copepod abundance, consistent with zooplankton consuming chytrid zoospores. These results suggest that Bd has the potential to cause both trait- and density-mediated indirect effects that can alter community composition and perhaps the primary productivity of freshwater ecosystems.

Automated summary

The pathogen Bd, implicated in amphibian declines, can affect communities and ecosystem function through direct and indirect effects. Infection with Bd reduced amphibian larval densities and resulted in trait-mediated effects on periphyton biomass, with damage to larval mouthparts reducing their feeding rates, and thus benefiting periphyton. However, there was no evidence that Bd triggered a shift to filter-feeding phytoplankton. The presence of Bd was associated with increased copepod abundance, indicating zooplankton consumption of chytrid zoospores.