Sublethal effects of a mass mortality agent: pathogen-mediated plasticity of growth and development in a widespread North American amphibian
Amphibians exhibit diverse responses to environmental challenges, but their responses to infection risk remain poorly understood. This study investigates how the presence of ranavirus, a deadly viral pathogen, affects growth, development, and resource allocation in wood frog (Rana sylvatica [Lithoba...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/famrs.2025.1529060/full |
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| Summary: | Amphibians exhibit diverse responses to environmental challenges, but their responses to infection risk remain poorly understood. This study investigates how the presence of ranavirus, a deadly viral pathogen, affects growth, development, and resource allocation in wood frog (Rana sylvatica [Lithobates sylvaticus]) tadpoles. Using three years of pond survey data from a wood frog metapopulation in northeastern Connecticut, USA, we compared tadpole physiological rates across three scenarios: ranavirus-free ponds, ponds with sustained ranavirus infection, and ponds experiencing ranavirus die-offs. In ranavirus-positive ponds, tadpoles exhibited increased growth and resource allocation early in their development. These differences waned following die-off events in some ponds but persisted where widescale infection did not lead to die-off. This study provides evidence that an important disease agent appears to induce growth and developmental responses in its host that may help tadpoles survive severe infection by providing a buffer against the associated energetic demands. Alternative hypotheses, such as size-biased mortality, should be evaluated in experiments aimed at evaluating underlying mechanisms. |
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| ISSN: | 2813-6780 |