Tadpoles as a reservoir of the lethal frog chytrid fungal disease – measuring sublethal effects on growth, behaviour, time to metamorphosis and ability to forage (mouthpart loss)

Theme: Theme: Biodiversity and conservation science, Ecology genetics and evolution, Environmental management, Zoology and wildlife biology

Description: 

The amphibian fungal skin disease, chytridiomycosis (pronounced ‘ki-tri-di-o-my-co-sis’), has caused more declines and species extinctions around the world than any other vertebrate disease ever recorded. Although tadpoles usually do not die from the disease, they can act as an important source of infection for recently metamorphosed frogs, and they can also suffer sublethal effects from the infection of their mouthparts.

This project will investigate the role of tadpoles as a reservoir host for the fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, exploring whether and how infection results in changes to growth and development, and how this varies across source populations with varying exposure history as well as demographic trajectories.

The project involves laboratory work with tadpoles of the endangered Fleay’s barred frog (Mixophyes fleayi) and sympatric species. Depending on timing, there could also be opportunities for fieldwork.

Better understanding the effects of infection on different amphibian life stages can inform our expectations around impacts on populations, both in the short term, and at a more evolutionary timescale. We expect the findings of this study to be broadly relevant to amphibian systems affected by chytridiomycosis, globally.

Additional Information: This project is part of a more extensive research program funded by an Australian Research Council DECRA Project grant and involves a diverse network of collaborators.

Contact: Dr Laura Grogan