Lability in host defenses: terrestrial frogs die from chytridiomycosis under enzootic conditions.

Chytridiomycosis-induced mortalities often occur upon the emergence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in naïve amphibian populations. We report chytridiomycosis-associated mortalities in the wild of the coqui (Eleutherodactylus coqui), a declining direct-developing frog with persistent Bd infections. These findings provide additional evidence of decreased host defenses during cool-dry seasons in Puerto Rico.