Robert Sekisambu’s research while affiliated with Makerere University and other places

Sample ID, Genus, Date of collection, and GPS location of all Bd positive samples included in the modelling analysis. Elevations are in meters above sea level. (DOCX)

Calculated copy numbers in positive samples. Log-scale graph showing all Bd-positive samples plotted against the calculated number of copies of the ITS1-5.8S region per swab. Error bars indicate the standard deviation (positive only) for each triplicate sample. Red bars indicate which two samples had corresponding skin tissue analyzed and had histological changes consistant with the disease chytridiomycosis. (TIFF)

FASTA file. DNA sequence alignment of partial ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences used in Fig 2. (FASTA)

Additional Bd-positive localities provided by Bd-maps.net and E. Greenbaum that went into the modelling analysis [29–32,49]. Elevations are in meters above sea level. (DOCX)

PCR results of historical samples collected from Makerere University in Uganda. Elevations are in meters above sea level. (DOCX)

Trained model of the current relative habitat suitability and distribution of Bd. A. (Initial model). Current distribution of areas where amphibians are likely to be at risk for Bd infection using original records (maroon hexagons). All areas predicted as suitable where the new positive localities (green hexagons) appear indicate areas where we had not sampled but the model predicted as a potential suitable habitat. These areas include (Budongo, Kibale, Kamengo, Lake Bunyonyi, North Balala Forest, parts of Itombwe Massif). The model didn’t predict the lowlands of Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Katanga province. B. An updated model showing the current distribution of areas where amphibians are likely to be at risk for Bd infection when using both original (maroon hexagons) and new occurrence (green hexagons) records for training. (TIFF)

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the cause of chytridiomycosis, is a pathogenic fungus that is found worldwide and is a major contributor to amphibian declines and extinctions. We report results of a comprehensive effort to assess the distribution and threat of Bd in one of the Earth's most important biodiversity hotspots, the Albertine Rift in central Africa. In herpetological surveys conducted between 2010 and 2014, 1018 skin swabs from 17 amphibian genera in 39 sites across the Albertine Rift were tested for Bd by PCR. Overall, 19.5% of amphibians tested positive from all sites combined. Skin tissue samples from 163 amphibians were examined histologically; of these two had superficial epidermal intracorneal fungal colonization and lesions consistent with the disease chytridiomycosis. One amphibian was found dead during the surveys, and all others encountered appeared healthy. We found no evidence for Bd-induced mortality events, a finding consistent with other studies. To gain a historical perspective about Bd in the Albertine Rift, skin swabs from 232 museum-archived amphibians collected as voucher specimens from 1925-1994 were tested for Bd. Of these, one sample was positive; an Itombwe River frog (Phrynobatrachus asper) collected in 1950 in the Itombwe highlands. This finding represents the earliest record of Bd in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We modeled the distribution of Bd in the Albertine Rift using MaxEnt software, and trained our model for improved predictability. Our model predicts that Bd is currently widespread across the Albertine Rift, with moderate habitat suitability extending into the lowlands. Under climatic modeling scenarios our model predicts that optimal habitat suitability of Bd will decrease causing a major range contraction of the fungus by 2080. Our baseline data and modeling predictions are important for comparative studies, especially if significant changes in amphibian health status or climactic conditions are encountered in the future.

Summary of Bd results from historical specimens. Elevations are in meters above sea level. (DOCX)

This report summarises the findings of a biodiversity survey of Murchison Falls Protected Area (MFPA - including Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu and Karuma Wildlife Reserves). The survey shows that MFPA is rich in species and biodiversity with a total known list of 144 mammal species, 556 bird species, 51 reptile species, 28 known amphibian species with an additional 23 to identify (51 species), and 755 plant species. This makes this conservation area relatively biodiverse in the region although not as diverse as some of the parks further south in the Albertine Rift, such as Queen Elizabeth and Virunga National Parks which also have savannah ecosystems. These surveys have greatly increased the known number of species for the conservation area, doubling the previously known number of reptile species and significantly increasing the number of mammal, bird and plant species from previously published lists. It is likely therefore that with extra survey effort more species could be found given the short duration and limited sampling of our surveys.

This report summarises the findings of a biodiversity survey of Murchison Falls Protected Area (MFPA - including Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu and Karuma Wildlife Reserves). The survey shows that MFPA is rich in species and biodiversity with a total known list of 144 mammal species, 556 bird species, 51 reptile species, 28 known amphibian species with an additional 23 to identify (51 species), and 755 plant species. This makes this conservation area relatively biodiverse in the region although not as diverse as some of the parks in further south in the Albertine Rift, such as Queen Elizabeth and Virunga National Parks which also have savannah ecosystems. These surveys have greatly increased the known number of species for the conservation area, doubling the previously known number of reptile species and significantly increasing the number of mammal, bird and plant species from previously published lists. It is likely therefore that with extra survey effort more species could be found given the short duration of our surveys. While species richness and diversity is high the number of species that are restricted range (Albertine Rift endemic) or globally threatened on the IUCN redlist are not so many and mostly restricted to the mammals, birds and plants. It is potentially possible that the amphibian species that are currently being identified using genetic material may prove to be species of conservation concern or even new species. Of the species we have found for MFPA one mammal is Endangered and four mammals are Vulnerable; four Endangered and seven Vulnerable bird species; two amphibians are Data Deficient, and eight Vulnerable and seven Albertine Rift endemic plant species. Bugungu Wildlife Reserve was particularly rich for certain taxa, notably birds, amphibians and plants, proving to be richer than Murchison Falls National Park for these taxa. It also contained many of the endemic and threatened plant species. This is likely a result of its varied habitats and its proximity to Budongo Forest but identifies it as being a place of particular conservation value in the landscape.