First Detection of Ranavirus Infection in Threatened Brazilian Anurans

Area of Science:

• Herpetology
• Wildlife Disease Ecology
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Amphibians face global decline, with infectious diseases as a major threat.
• Ranaviruses (Rv) are emerging infectious agents impacting amphibian populations.
• Research on Rv in South American amphibians, especially threatened species, is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first detection of Ranavirus (Rv) in threatened amphibian species in Brazil.
• To investigate the prevalence of Rv in Melanophryniscus admirabilis and Melanophryniscus biancae.
• To emphasize the need for monitoring and understanding Rv in vulnerable anuran populations.

Main Methods:

• Field surveys conducted in the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest.
• Sampling and diagnosis of amphibian tadpoles for Ranavirus (Rv).
• Prevalence calculation for infected species: Melanophryniscus admirabilis and Melanophryniscus biancae.

Main Results:

• Ranavirus (Rv) detected in tadpoles of Melanophryniscus admirabilis (1.4% prevalence).
• Ranavirus (Rv) detected in tadpoles of Melanophryniscus biancae (24% prevalence).
• First report of Rv in these threatened Brazilian amphibian species.

Conclusions:

• Findings underscore the importance of Ranavirus (Rv) as a threat to Brazilian amphibians.
• Expanded surveillance and pathogen monitoring are essential for threatened anuran populations.
• Understanding Rv dynamics is critical for conservation strategies in the Atlantic Forest biome.