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Riascos-Flores LR, Bonilla J, Naranjo-Briceño L, Apunte-Ramos K, Reyes-Ortega GC, Cabrera M, Cáceres-Andrade JF, Carrera-Gonzalez A, Yánez-Galarza JK, Siavichay Pesántez F, Oyagata-Cachimuel LA, Goethals P, Celi J, Van der Heyden C, Ortega-Andrade HM. Field-based molecular detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in critically endangered Atelopus toads and aquatic habitats in Ecuador. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299246. [PMID: 38484016 PMCID: PMC10939218 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a lethal fungal species that parasitizes vertebrates and is associated with the worldwide decline of amphibian populations. The development of sensitive, rapid detection methods, particularly DNA-based techniques, is critical for effective management strategies. This study evaluates the efficacy of DNA extraction and a portable PCR device in a mountable field laboratory setup for detecting Bd near the habitats of three critically endangered Atelopus toad species in Ecuador. We collected skin swabs from Atelopus balios, A. nanay, and A. bomolochos, and environmental DNA (eDNA) samples from streams in Andean and coastal regions of Ecuador. For eDNA, a comparison was made with duplicates of the samples that were processed in the field and in a standard university laboratory. Our findings revealed Bd detection in eDNA and swabs from 6 of 12 water samples and 10 of 12 amphibian swab samples. The eDNA results obtained in the field laboratory were concordant with those obtained under campus laboratory conditions. These findings highlight the potential of field DNA-based monitoring techniques for detecting Bd in amphibian populations and their aquatic habitats, particularly in remote areas. Furthermore, this research aligns with the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Ecuadorian Amphibians and contributes to the global effort to control this invasive and deadly fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenin R. Riascos-Flores
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Gent University, Gent, Belgium
- Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL/Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Centro de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas del Ecuador, Campus Gustavo Galindo Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Julio Bonilla
- Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL/Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Centro de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas del Ecuador, Campus Gustavo Galindo Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Leopoldo Naranjo-Briceño
- Applied Microbiology Research Group, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM, Tena, Ecuador
- Fungal Biotech Lab, Spora Biotech, Huechuraba, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Katherine Apunte-Ramos
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Lab, Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM, Tena, Ecuador
| | - Grace C. Reyes-Ortega
- Biogeography and Spatial Ecology Research Group, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM, Tena, Ecuador
| | - Marcela Cabrera
- Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia del Agua, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena, Ecuador
- University of Valencia, Paterna, Spain
| | | | | | - Jomira K. Yánez-Galarza
- Applied Microbiology Research Group, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM, Tena, Ecuador
- Biogeography and Spatial Ecology Research Group, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM, Tena, Ecuador
| | | | | | - Peter Goethals
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Gent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Jorge Celi
- Water and Aquatic Resources Research Group, School of Earth and Water Sciences, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena, Ecuador
| | - Christine Van der Heyden
- Department of Biosciences and Industrial Technology, Health and Water Technology Research Centre, HOGENT—University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Gent, Belgium
| | - H. Mauricio Ortega-Andrade
- Biogeography and Spatial Ecology Research Group, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM, Tena, Ecuador
- Herpetology Division, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
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Sánchez-Carvajal MJ, Reyes-Ortega GC, Cisneros-Heredia DF, Ortega-Andrade HM. Rediscovery of Laura's glassfrog Nymphargus laurae (Anura: Centrolenidae) with new data on its morphology, colouration, phylogenetic position and conservation in Ecuador. PeerJ 2022; 9:e12644. [PMID: 35036140 PMCID: PMC8710250 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the rediscovery of Laura’s Glassfrog, Nymphargus laurae Cisneros-Heredia & McDiarmid, 2007, based on two specimens collected at the Colonso-Chalupas Biological Reserve, province of Napo, Ecuador. The species was described and known from a single male specimen collected in 1955 at Loreto, north-eastern Andean foothills of Ecuador. Limited information was available about the colouration, systematics, ecology, and biogeography of N. laurae. We provide new data on the external morphology, colouration, distribution and comment on its conservation status and extinction risk. We discuss the phylogenetic relationships of N. laurae, which forms a clade together with N. siren and N. humboldti. The importance of research in unexplored areas must be a national priority to document the biodiversity associated, especially in protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Sánchez-Carvajal
- Ingeniería en Ecosistemas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena, Napo, Ecuador.,Grupo de Investigación en Biogeografía y Ecología Espacial, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Grace C Reyes-Ortega
- Ingeniería en Ecosistemas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena, Napo, Ecuador.,Grupo de Investigación en Biogeografía y Ecología Espacial, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Diego F Cisneros-Heredia
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Instituto de Biodiversidad Tropical iBIOTROP, Museo de Zoología, Laboratorio de Zoología Terrestre, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador.,División de Herpetología, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - H Mauricio Ortega-Andrade
- Ingeniería en Ecosistemas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena, Napo, Ecuador.,Grupo de Investigación en Biogeografía y Ecología Espacial, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena, Napo, Ecuador.,División de Herpetología, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
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