Condition-dependent reproductive effort in frogs infected by a widespread pathogen.

摘要: To minimize the negative effects of an infection on fitness, hosts can respond adaptively by altering their reproductive effort or adjusting timing reproduction. We studied pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis probability calling in a stream-breeding rainforest frog (Litoria rheocola). In uninfected frogs, was relatively constant across seasons and body conditions, but infected differed among (lowest winter, highest summer) strongly positively related to condition. Infected frogs poor condition were up 40% less likely call than whereas good 30% more frogs. Our results suggest that employed pre-existing, plastic, life-history strategy response infection, which may have complex evolutionary implications. If males reproduce at rates equal greater those males, selection factors affecting disease susceptibility be minimal. However, because is condition, there mechanisms limit infections hosts.