Journal Article
Widespread triazole pesticide use affects infection dynamics of a global amphibian pathogen
Andrea Barbi; Tess Goessens; Diederik Strubbe; Arne Deknock; Robby Van Leeuwenberg; Niels De Troyer; Elin Verbrugghe; Mark Greener; Siegrid De Baere; Luc Lens; Peter Goethals; An Martel; Siska Croubels; Frank Pasmans
Ecology Letters · Vol. 26, Issue 2 · pp. 313-322 · 2023
Abstract
The sixth mass extinction is a consequence of complex interplay between multiple stressors with negative impact on biodiversity. We here examine the interaction between two globally widespread anthropogenic drivers of amphibian declines: the fungal disease chytridiomycosis and antifungal use in agriculture. Field monitoring of 26 amphibian ponds in an agricultural landscape shows widespread occurrence of triazole fungicides in the water column throughout the amphibian breeding season, together with a negative correlation between early season application of epoxiconazole and the prevalence of chytrid infections in aquatic newts. While triazole concentrations in the ponds remained below those that inhibit growth of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis , they bioaccumulated in the newts' skin up to tenfold, resulting in cutaneous growth‐suppressing concentrations. As such, a concentration of epoxiconazole, 10 times below that needed to inhibit fungal growth, prevented chytrid infection in anuran tadpoles. The widespread presence of triazoles may thus alter chytrid dynamics in agricultural landscapes.