A Non-Invasive Stress Assay Shows That Tadpole Populations Infected with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Have Elevated Corticosterone Levels

摘要: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a fungus that causes the disease chytridiomycosis and associated with widespread amphibian declines. Populations vary in their susceptibility to Bd infections, virulence of infecting lineage can also vary. Both these factors may manifest as differential physiological stress response. In addition, variation across populations be influenced by immunosuppression caused chronic imposed environmental factors. Here, we use non-invasive water-borne hormone technique assess levels (corticosterone) free-living tadpole are infected Bd. We found corticosterone release rates were higher two species tadpoles (Alytes obstetricans A. muletensis) than an uninfected population for both species. The relationship between intensity infection differed species, only showing significant positive correlation. outcome highly virulent (BdGPL), whereas muletensis less (BdCAPE). These results suggest different lineages impose on animals, this influence survival. next step determine whether make individuals more susceptible or if infections drive levels.