Exposure to low doses of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis reveals variation in resistance in the Critically Endangered southern corroboree frog

Chytridiomycosis poses a significant extinction threat to many amphibians, including the critically endangered southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree). Captive breeding programs have become essential to maintain populations while effective long-term conservation strategies are developed. Understanding the variation in susceptibility to chytridiomycosis within this species is essential in exploring the potential for selective breeding to enhance disease resistance. In this study, we conducted a large-scale Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) exposure experiment involving 972 juvenile P. corroboree selected to ensure a broad genetic representation of the species. Three replicate experiments were conducted under uniform conditions, to assess individual susceptibility and compare results across replicate experiments. Significant variation was observed within and between experiments, with individual survival rates ranging from 44-74% across experiments, influenced notably by the zoo in which frogs were bred. Remarkably, 21-47% of exposed frogs remained Bd-negative, suggesting potential innate resistance. Infection intensity correlated positively with body condition, in one experiment, while age and size showed inconsistent effects on survival and infection rates across experiments, but younger and smaller frogs were more susceptible to infection and had lower survival. Among frogs that became infected, none cleared infection, with most progressing to terminal stages within an average of 69 days (ranging from 33 to 97 days). However, a few individuals maintained stable infection loads without displaying clinical signs of chytridiomycosis. This observed phenotypic variation in P. corroboree responses to Bd highlights the potential for selective breeding to improve survival outcomes in this species. The dataset generated from this study will be instrumental in guiding breeding strategies that strengthen conservation efforts for this critically endangered species.