Defensive coloration is not a reliable indicator of fungal infection in aposematic poison frogs

Publikation: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift › Forschungsartikel › Beigetragen › Begutachtung

Beitragende

  • Lia Schlippe Justicia - , Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien (Autor:in)
  • Carolin Dittrich - , Professur für Limnologie (Gewässerökologie), Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, University of Jyväskylä (Autor:in)
  • Ossi Nokelainen - , University of Jyväskylä (Autor:in)
  • Bibiana Rojas - , University of Jyväskylä, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien (Autor:in)

Abstract

The expression of visual signals such as colouration can be altered by parasitic or pathogenic infections through multiple pathways, including resource reallocation, impaired tissue structure, and reduced pigment acquisition. These effects may compromise the functions of colouration and overall fitness. Conversely, the link between pigments and immunological defences can aid differently coloured individuals in coping with infection. While the pigmentation-condition association has been widely studied in the context of sexual selection, far less is known about how pathogens affect defensive colouration, such as aposematic signals. Here, we investigated whether infection by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is reflected in characteristics of the melanin- and/or carotenoid-based colouration of the aposematic poison frog Dendrobates tinctorius in the wild. Using ddPCR to identify the frogs’ infection status, and multispectral digital imaging to quantify their colouration traits, we show that neither type of colouration is a reliable indicator of Bd infection. Instead, body size influenced both infection outcomes and colouration, with sex-specific patterns suggesting potential ontogenetic or life-history trade-offs. Our findings highlight that the links between colour expression and condition are more context- and taxa-dependent than often assumed, and suggest that, in D. tinctorius, defensive signals may remain stable despite pathogen exposure.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummeraraf137
FachzeitschriftBehavioral ecology : the official journal of the International Society for Behavioral Ecology
Jahrgang37
Ausgabenummer1
Frühes Online-Datum20 Nov. 2025
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2026
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-4447-4481/work/197966069
Mendeley bd27ef74-4ee5-3121-b766-138cbfaeb213
PubMed 41403685
Scopus 105024998033

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • visual signal, Dendrobates tinctorius, carotenoids, chytrid fungus, pathogens, melanin, poison frog, Amazon