Midges not only sucks, but may carry lethal pathogens to wild amphibians
Luı́s Felipe Toledo, Joice Ruggeri, Leonardo Leite Ferraz de Campos, Marcio Roberto Martins, Selvino Neckel‐Oliveira, Crasso Paulo Bosco Breviglieri
Abstract
Abstract The chytrid fungus (Bd) is one of the main causes of recent amphibian population declines and extinctions. However, one possible disease transmission pathway remained unexplored: the insect‐borne transport between hosts. We found Bd DNA on specialized blood‐sucking midges, which could indicate the transport of alive zoospores between amphibian hosts, in this case acting as Bd carriers in the wild. Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Topics & Concepts
AmphibianBiologyZoosporeChytridiomycosisFungusPopulationZoologyEcologyBotanyMedicineEnvironmental healthSporeAmphibian and Reptile BiologyEnvironmental DNA in Biodiversity StudiesAnimal Behavior and Reproduction