Monitoring the prevalence and distribution of chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in the Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis) population in the Kihansi Gorge spray wetlands, Tanzania

Monitoring the prevalence and distribution of chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in the Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis) population in the Kihansi Gorge spray wetlands, Tanzania | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 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Data may be preliminary. 18 January 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Monitoring the prevalence and distribution of chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in the Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis) population in the Kihansi Gorge spray wetlands, Tanzania Authors : Devolent Mtui 0000-0002-3536-8628 [email protected] , Leonard Haule , Joseph Ogutu , Asa Preston , Josephine Braun , WD Newmark , Edward Kohi , … Show All … , Juma Kimera , Mikidadi Mtalika 0000-0001-7745-6688 , Hussein Adam , Samuel Mtoka , Felix Shayo , Julius Keyyu , Miriam Makange , Jean Hakizimana , Gerald Misinzo , and Ernest Mjingo Show Fewer Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.173720494.40494260/v1 Published Ecology and Evolution Version of record Peer review timeline 418 views 219 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a fungal disease only fatal to some amphibian species. Among the vulnerable species is the Nectophrynoides asperginis, endemic to the Kihansi Gorge spray wetlands in Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains. By 2009, chytridiomycosis had driven N. asperginis to extinction in the wild, though it survives in captivity. Reintroduction efforts have faced difficulties, underlining the importance of understanding Bd’s prevalence in the wild to guide re-introduction programs. We assessed Bd’s presence 20 years after its initial detection in Tanzania and determined whether it was responsible for the 98% mortality of 1000 captive-bred N. asperginis released in Feb 2022. In December 2022, time-constrained surveys were conducted across three spray wetlands covering N. asperginis habitats. Amphibians were skin-swabbed following a protocol developed by the University of California, resulting in two sets of 44 samples from seven species. These samples were analyzed for Bd presence using conventional and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, followed by nucleotide sequencing of PCR products. Bd was detected in 32% of samples, affecting four species: Arthroleptides yakusini (14%), N. asperginis (9%), Ptychadena anchietae (7%) and Hyperolius substriatus (2%). Whereas N. asperginis was severely affected, the other species were healthy carriers. Bd-CAPE was confirmed as the cause of the mass deaths of the released toads. The continuing presence of Bd-CAPE in the spray wetlands remains a barrier to the successful re-introduction of N. asperginis, necessitating further experimentation to develop strategies for coexistence. Supplementary Material File (manuscript_jan2025.docx) Download 7.67 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 18 January 2025 Peer review timeline Published Ecology and Evolution Version of Record 9 Jan 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Ecology and Evolution Keywords comparative description ecological experiment ecosystem freshwater multiple none of the above sequencing terrestrial Authors Affiliations Devolent Mtui 0000-0002-3536-8628 [email protected] Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute View all articles by this author Leonard Haule Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute View all articles by this author Joseph Ogutu University of Hohenheim View all articles by this author Asa Preston 3San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Amphibian Disease Laboratory View all articles by this author Josephine Braun San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research View all articles by this author WD Newmark 4Natural History Museum of Utah View all articles by this author Edward Kohi Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dodoma, Tanzania View all articles by this author Juma Kimera Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute View all articles by this author Mikidadi Mtalika 0000-0001-7745-6688 Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute View all articles by this author Hussein Adam Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute View all articles by this author Samuel Mtoka TAWIRI View all articles by this author Felix Shayo Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute View all articles by this author Julius Keyyu Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute View all articles by this author Miriam Makange Sokoine University of Agriculture College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences View all articles by this author Jean Hakizimana Sokoine University of Agriculture College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences View all articles by this author Gerald Misinzo Sokoine University of Agriculture View all articles by this author Ernest Mjingo Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 418 views 219 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Devolent Mtui, Leonard Haule, Joseph Ogutu, et al. Monitoring the prevalence and distribution of chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in the Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis) population in the Kihansi Gorge spray wetlands, Tanzania. Authorea . 18 January 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.173720494.40494260/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); Cited by William D. Newmark, William D. Newmark, Potential Contributory Factors to Low Post-release Survival of the Kihansi Spray Toad, The Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis): Crisis Biology in the 21st Century, (181-193), (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-89599-9_20 Crossref William D. Newmark, William D. Newmark, Summary of Soft and Hard Releases, 2012–2023, The Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis): Crisis Biology in the 21st Century, (169-175), (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-89599-9_18 Crossref Loading... View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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