Field Survey of Freshwater Invertebrates Reveals That Several Groups Are Potential Carriers of the Fungal Pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Abstract
The amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has devastated global amphibian biodiversity. The specific reasons for its rapid global spread, especially to pristine areas, are not well understood. Freshwater invertebrates might function as carriers of Bd, but the diversity and extent of invertebrate species that might vector Bd in the wild is unknown. Thus, broad surveys of freshwater invertebrates at known Bd-positive sites are needed to understand the potential risk and scope of these potential pathogen carriers. In this study, we aimed to identify potential invertebrate carriers of Bd in Victoria, Australia. We collected a wide variety of freshwater invertebrates from sites with vulnerable Litoria frog populations, batch-pooled the samples and screened them for Bd DNA presence via qPCR. We detected Bd DNA presence in 2.1% of the batch-pooled samples, from the families Chironomidae (non-biting midges), Hydrophilidae (water scavenger beetles) and Corixidae (water boatmen). The detection of Bd in field-collected invertebrates across three orders indicates that Bd might be more taxonomically widespread than previously recognised. These invertebrate taxa are ideal candidates for future vector competence studies, which are necessary to understand the implications for amphibian conservation.
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