Widespread Ranavirus and Perkinsea infections in Cuban Treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) invading New Orleans, USA

Invasive species can negatively impact ecosystems in numerous ways, including vectoring pathogenic organisms. In amphibians, a lineage globally threatened by multiple pathogens, this spread of disease via invasive species could contribute to declines in native populations. The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is invasive in the southeastern USA. To assess whether O. septentrionalis is a potential reservoir host for the pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), Ranavirus (Rv), and Perkinsea (Pr), we sampled 82 individuals from a recently invaded site in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. We used quantitative PCR to assess prevalence and intensity of Bd, Rv and Pr in mouthparts and tail clips from 22 larvae and in toe clips from 60 metamorphosed frogs. We compared infection prevalence and intensity across host characteristics, including Fulton’s body condition (K), sex, and life stage. None of the individuals were infected with Bd, 72% were infected with Rv, and 44% were infecte...