Data from: Spread of amphibian chytrid fungus across lowland populations of Túngara frogs in Panamá

Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is an emergent infectious disease partially responsible for worldwide amphibian population declines. The spread of Bd along highland habitats ( > 500 m a.s.l.) of Costa Rica and Panamá is well documented and has been linked to amphibian population collapses. In contrast, data are scarce on the prevalence and dispersal of Bd in lowland habitats where amphibians may be infected but asymptomatic. Here we describe the spread (2009 to 2014) of Bd across lowland habitats east of the Panamá Canal (< 500 m a.s.l.) with a focus on the túngara frog (Physalaemus [Engystomops] pustulosus), one of the most common and abundant frog species in this region. Highland populations in western Panamá were already infected with Bd at the start of the study, which was congruent with previous studies indicating that Bd is enzootic in this region. In central Panamá, we collected the first positive samples in 2010, and by 2014 we detected Bd from remote sites in eastern Panamá (Darién National Park). We discuss the importance of studying Bd in lowland species, which may serve as potential reservoirs and dispersers of Bd to highland species that are more susceptible to chytridiomycosis.

由病原真菌蛙壶菌（Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Bd）引发的壶菌病（Chytridiomycosis）是一种新发传染病，亦是全球两栖动物种群衰退的部分诱因。蛙壶菌沿哥斯达黎加与巴拿马的高地生境（海拔>500 m a.s.l.）的扩散已被详实记录，且与两栖动物种群崩溃密切相关。与之相对，针对低地生境中蛙壶菌的流行率与传播扩散情况的研究数据仍十分匮乏——在此类生境中，两栖动物可能已感染病原体但无明显临床症状。本研究详述了2009年至2014年间，巴拿马运河以东海拔<500 m a.s.l.的低地生境中蛙壶菌的扩散动态，研究重点为泡蟾（Physalaemus [Engystomops] pustulosus）——该区域最常见且种群丰度最高的蛙类物种之一。研究启动初期，巴拿马西部的高地种群已检测出蛙壶菌感染，这与既往研究结论一致：该区域的蛙壶菌为地方性流行菌株。在巴拿马中部区域，我们于2010年采集到首批蛙壶菌阳性样本；至2014年，我们在巴拿马东部的偏远区域（达连国家公园）也检测到了蛙壶菌。本研究最后探讨了针对低地生境蛙类开展蛙壶菌研究的重要意义：这类物种可能作为蛙壶菌的潜在储存宿主与扩散媒介，将病原体传播至对壶菌病更为易感的高地两栖动物种群。