Chytridiomycosis in Native Arizona Frogs

Twenty-seven adult/sub-adult lowland leopard frogs (Rana yavapaiensis), two larval lowland leopard frogs, two adult Chirichahua leopard frogs (Rana chiricahuensis), and two adult canyon tree frogs (Hyla arenicolor) collected from populations experiencing mortality events at eight sites were found to have characteristic lesions of chytrid fungus infection (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). The mortalities occurred during December 1992 and between October and February in 1997-98 and December and February in 1998-99. Gross lesions varied from none to diffuse reddening of the skin of the abdomen, pelvic area, and legs. Microscopic lesions were characteristic of those previously reported for the disease and included diffuse epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, and colonization of the keratinized layers of the epidermis by sporangia of the chytrid. Bacterial cultures did not yield a primary pathogenic agent. Virus isolation from frog tissues was negative. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis was isolated from the skin of two of 10 R. yavapaiensis and one of two H. arenicolor cultured following necropsy. An additional nine of 11 clinically affected or dead R. yavapaiensis from the same locations, but not necropsied, were culture positive for B. dendrobatidis.