An American Bullfrog in Brazil Lauren V. Ash University of Vermont June 4, 2019
Background The American Bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeianus )
Background Hoverman et al. 2011
Background High viral loads?
Background Are invasive Bullfrogs in Brazil harboring the same levels of ranavirus? Dr. Karla Dr. Domingos Campião, Rodrigues, UFPR UFMT Hypothesis: Ranaviruses have spread beyond the Bullfrog facilities We predict Bullfrogs will harbor the virus in high levels, similar to their native counterparts
Background An extra layer: helminths Not much is understood regarding helminth Ancanthocephalins/thorn parasite dynamics and y headed worms diversity Nematodes/ro Platyhelminthes/flatwor Caused by trematode undworms ms ( Ribeiroia sp .)
Background Is there an association between ranavirus and helminth parasites? 35 35 6 30 30 5 25 25 4 20 20 3 15 15 2 10 10 1 5 5 0 0 0 Yes No Yes No Yes No More parasites in More parasites in No difference Ranavirus positive Ranavirus negative vs
Background Methods Brazil Maps
Background Methods
Background Methods Methods
Background Methods
Background Methods Results 8/9 ~89% 3/3 ~100% 1/9 ~11%
Background Background Methods Methods Results Results Site Prevalence
Background Background Methods Methods Results Results Viral copies per uL
Background Methods Results Parasite Abundance
Background Methods Results Parasite Abundance and viral load
Background Methods Results Conclusions Summary • The first comprehensive survey and one of the first records of ranavirus in natural amphibian populations in Brazil • Detected low level infections in Brazilian adult Bullfrog populations • Individuals and sites with ranavirus vs presence seem to have decreased numbers of parasites but does not correlate to the amount of virus
Background Methods Results Conclusions Next Steps • Are the sites that are ranavirus positive close to active Bullfrog farms? • Sequencing to determine which ranavirus species • Is this impacting native anurans in Brazil?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Every The Gotelli lab Funding volunteer! Landowners John Wheeler Award UVM Biology faculty Graduate College Summer Fellowship and graduate students The Ronald Suiter Prize All of my undergraduate research Dr. Roberto Fabri Fialho Award assistants
Questions? @lvash23 Email: lvash@uvm.edu
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