The remoteness and isolation of South American tabletop mountain (tepui) summits may protect against infections that underpin global amphibian declines. Increases in recreational pressure in such unspoiled destinations, and in isolated ecosystems globally, pose a poorly understood risk of wildlife disease introduction, especially in supposedly immunologically naïve communities. We here report the first observed chytrid infections in the Pantepui biogeographical region. Infections significantly correlate with proximity to the nearest basic tourist infrastructure in four endemic amphibians occurring on tepui summits and their slopes. Phylogenetic relationships and environmental context suggest a high risk of severe and irreversible population declines in unique, early branching amphibians. These findings advocate for an urgent control of recreational pressure in isolated, highly vulnerable ecosystems.

中文翻译：

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旅游业可能威胁野生动物疾病避难所

南美桌面山 (tepui) 山峰的偏远和孤立可以防止导致全球两栖动物数量下降的感染。在这些未受破坏的目的地以及全球孤立的生态系统中，娱乐压力的增加，对引入野生动物疾病的风险知之甚少，特别是在所谓的免疫学幼稚社区。我们在这里报告了在 Pantepui 生物地理区域首次观察到的壶菌感染。在 tepui 山峰及其斜坡上发生的四种地方性两栖动物中，感染与靠近最近的基本旅游基础设施显着相关。系统发育关系和环境背景表明，独特的早期分支两栖动物存在严重和不可逆转的种群下降的高风险。