Thickening skin shedding from lethargic frogs and toads in patches. Struggles with breathing and eating. A compromised immune system causing a shutdown of the body.
These are classic indications of chytridiomycosis, a fatal fungal infection known as an “epidermal epidemic” responsible for the extinction of numerous amphibian species globally.
Although not yet identified in Manitoba, this doesn’t imply it is absent in the province.
Jackie Tran, a graduate student conducting frog and salamander sampling in southern Manitoba, stated, “It is virtually everywhere on our continent… There’s no way we don’t have this pathogen here.”
Chytrid in frogs is induced by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; in salamanders, by Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans.
The latter, suspected to have originated in East Asia, emerged in the last few decades, devastating local salamander populations in parts of Europe.
While it hasn’t crossed over to North America as far as scientists are aware, the risk to amphibians on the Prairies may be escalating.
Tran’s work in identifying potential wetland amphibian habitats where pathogens could thrive marks the initiation of a proactive monitoring program at Brandon University.
If confirmed in Manitoba, this monitoring could aid in limiting declines in amphibian populations, according to Pamela Rutherford, an associate professor at BU.
Pathogens spread effectively in wetlands degraded by human activities, emphasizing the broader implications of Tran’s research on wetland health.
Results from field experiments suggest young leopard frogs can be inoculated against severe chytrid effects, offering hope for the conservation of amphibian populations.
Tran anticipates that Manitoba could benefit from successful treatments if its amphibians require assistance in the future.