Lack of chytrid disease in Tobago's frogs

Chytridiomycosis has caused declines in multiple amphibian species across the world. The fungal infection has been detected in frogs in Tobago, specifically the endemic Aromobatidae stream frog Mannophryne olmonae (Alemu et al. 2008). However, there were no signs of clinical mortality.

A follow up study was conducted on six species of frogs (Leptodactylus validus, Engystomops pustulosus, Boana xerophylla, Pristimantis charlottevillensis, Hyalinobatrachium orientale tobagoense, and Mannophryne olmonae) from northeast Tobago in 2016 by Thomson et al. 2018 to assess the presence of the chytrid fungus. Based on their data of 176 samples, no chytrid was detected. According to the authors, their findings appear to indicate that the infection may have died out or is at very low levels. At least, for the species sampled and those in the northeast of the island.

Boana xerophylla from Tobago (Photo by: Renoir Auguste)

Alemu,J.B., Cazabon, M.N.E, Dempewolf, L., Hailey, A., Lehtinen, R.M., Mannette, R.P., Naranjit, K.T. and Roach, A.C.J. 2008. Presence of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in populations of the Critically Endangered frog Mannophryne olmonae in Tobago, West Indies. Ecohealth, 5:34-39.

Thomson, R., Hoskisson, P.A., Brozio, S., Downie, J.R. 2018. Apparent lack of chytrid infection in northeast Tobago's frogs. Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club, 2018: 82-86.