Novel findings on the impact of chytridiomycosis on the cardiac function of anurans: sensitive vs. tolerant species.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding of the physiological effects of chytridiomycosis is crucial to worldwide amphibian conservation. Therefore, we analyzed the cardiac function of two anuran species (Xenopus laevis and Physalaemus albonotatus) with different susceptibilities to infection by the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (hereafter Bd).

Methods

We analyzed the in situ heart rate (f _H - bpm), relative ventricular mass (RVM -%), and Ca²⁺ handling in heart of Bd infected animals compared to uninfected controls of both study species.

Results

Bd infection resulted in a 78% decrease in contraction force values in P. albonotatus when compared to the less

SUBMITTER: Salla RF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6228586 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature