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Resolution: standard / high Figure 1.
Some of the rediscovered species in Costa Rica including. A. Craugastor ranoides, B. Atelopus varius, C. Lithobates vibicarius, and D. Pristimantis lemur. Locality data are retained to discourage poaching. E. Climatic refuge in Costa Rica
indicated by arrow. The core distribution of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) occurs in humid environments and coincides with the distribution of most declining
populations of amphibians. Low abundance relict populations are being rediscovered
within Bd enzootic zones, often with subclinical infections. Other species are found outside
Bd enzootic zones. Healthy populations, in which a susceptible species maintained high
abundance, were found at the edge of the distribution of the robber frog, Craugastor ranoides, in a climatic refuge [138]. Puschendorf et al. ([139]; including details of the bioclimatic model pictured in E) hypothesized that this
relict population in the dry forest of Santa Elena Peninsula, Costa Rica, survives
because climatic conditions in that habitat make pathogen establishment or persistence
on hosts less likely.
Woodhams et al. Frontiers in Zoology 2011 8:8 doi:10.1186/1742-9994-8-8 |