Amphibian diversity has declined due to the infectious disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Coexistence between amphibian hosts and this pathogen in some locations is attributed to the presence of the cutaneous bacterium Janthinobacterium lividum (Jliv). This microbe inhibits the growth of Bd on the host, reduces morbidity, and improves survival. Andean water frogs in the genus Telmatobius seem to be particularly vulnerable to the disease yet populations of T. intermedius and T. marmoratus persist in southern and central Peru. We investigated the presence of Jliv on these 2 frog species and assessed the relationship of Jliv presence with prevalence and intensity of Bd infection. By sampling 125 frogs from 7 streams (3323-3950 m a.s.l.) and 27 from a city market, we found spatial variation in the mutualism among populations (range 0-40% proportion of Jliv-positives). Overall, 57% of frogs were infected with Bd, 12.5% of frogs hosted both Jliv and Bd, while 7.2% hosted just Jliv. We found that the probability of an individual being infected with Bd was independent of the presence of Jliv; however, we did detect a protective effect of Jliv with respect to intensity of infection. The extent of Jliv distribution in the high Andes stands in stark contrast to the rarity of Jliv on frogs in lower elevation cloud forest biomes.
Keywords: Amphibian conservation; Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Chytridiomycosis; Host defenses; Microbial symbiosis; Peru; Telmatobiidae; Telmatobius.