DETECTION OF Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis IN AMPHIBIANS FROM A PET MARKET AND TWO WILD POPULATIONS IN MEXICO

Andrea Angeles-Vázquez; Mirna G. García-Castillo; Eria A. Rebollar; Gabriela Parra-Olea; María Delia Basanta

doi:10.22201/fc.25942158e.2025.3.1267

Authors

Andrea Angeles-Vázquez Facultad de Ciencias UNAM
Mirna G. García-Castillo Facultad de Ciencias UNAM
Eria A. Rebollar Centro de Ciencias Genómicas UNAM
Gabriela Parra-Olea
María Delia Basanta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22201/fc.25942158e.2025.3.1267

Keywords:

Amphibian declines, chytridiomycosis, fungal pathogens, infectious diseases

Abstract

Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), is one of the main causes of amphibian population declines worldwide. In this study, we analyzed the presence of Bd and Bsal in 16 species of amphibians from three localities in Mexico, including the pet market Emilio Carranza in Mexico City, and the localities Tenango de Doria, Hidalgo, and Cuetzalan, Puebla. Bsal was not detected in any sample, and the highest Bd prevalence and infection load were observed in the pet market reaching 60 % and a mean of 3.45x10¹² Bd ITS copy numbers, respectively. In Tenango de Doria, Bd prevalence was 50 %, whereas Bd was not detected in Cuetzalan. These results highlight the potential risk of pathogen dispersion due to the amphibian trade, and the importance of continuous monitoring for amphibian conservation in Mexico.

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