Host and environmental factors drive prevalence of the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Central African amphibians.

ABSTRACT: The spread of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) presents an escalating threat to amphibian populations globally, including in continental Africa. Focusing on Cameroon in Central Africa, we combined data from previous studies with newly sampled archived specimens and contemporary samples to investigate the emergence and dynamics of Bd, and to assess the risks it poses to local amphibian species. We find that Bd was already present in the early 1900s, with a prevalence averaging 54% (39-66, 95% CI), with the earliest record in 1905 in southern Cameroon-the earliest detection in Africa. The first detection in the mountains, which coincided with declining frog populations, occurred after 2009 and may be linked to BdCAPE, the sole lineage identified in the highlands. For t

SUBMITTER: Kouete MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12037773 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature