An American Bullfrog in Brazil Lauren V. Ash University of Vermont - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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