First detection of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytridium dendrobatidis) in free- living anuran populations in Greece

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Published: Jan 29, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.15647
Keywords:
Bufo sp Pelophylax sp. Vistonida lake real-time PCR
P. N. AZMANIS
Dubai Falcon Hospital
I. STRACHINIS
School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
P. LYMBERAKIS
National History Museum of Crete, University of Crete
R. E. MARSCHANG
LABOKLIN GmbH
Abstract

The amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) is a widespread, cosmopolitan pathogen largely affecting free-living amphibian populations. So far there are no published studies for the presence of B. dendrobatidis in Greece. In this preliminary study we sampled 59 metamorphosed anurans from four Greek wetlands. Five samples were positive for the fungus by real-time PCR. B. dendrobatidis was detected in three species (Bufo viridis, Pelophylax epeiroticus, Pelophylax ridibundus) but not in endangered endemic Karpathos water frogs (Pelophylax cerigensis). This is the first report of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in free-living anuran populations from Greece.

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