Novel Findings on the Impact of Chytridiomycosis on the Cardiac Function of Anurans: Sensitive Vs. Tolerant Species

Background: Understanding of the physiological effects of chytridiomycosis is crucial to worldwide amphibian conservation. Therefore, we analyzed the cardiac function of two anuran species ( and ) with different susceptibilities to infection by the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, (hereafter ).

Methods: We analyzed the heart rate ( - bpm), relative ventricular mass (RVM -%), and Ca handling in heart of infected animals compared to uninfected controls of both study species.

Results: infection resulted in a 78% decrease in contraction force values in when compared to the less susceptible . This negative effect was even more evident (82%) for the cardiac pumping capacity. The time to reach peak tension was 125% longer in than in , and cardiac relaxation was 57% longer.

Discussion: These results indicate a delay in the cardiac cycle of on a beat-to-beat basis, which was corroborated by the bradycardia observed . In summary, -sensitive species present impaired cardiac function, which could be a factor in mortality risk. The more pronounced effects of in may not only result from electrolyte imbalance, as previously reported, but also could be an effect of toxins produced by . For , the ability to promote cardiac adjustments seems to be an important homeostatic feature that allows greater tolerance to chytridiomycosis. This study provides new physiological mechanisms underlying the tolerance or susceptibility of amphibian species to chytridiomycosis, which determine their adaptability to survive in the affected environments.