Genomic selection to enhance disease resilience in an endangered species

Abstract Chytridiomycosis caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus ( Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis , Bd) is one of the most devastating wildlife diseases of our time 1,2 . With no effective methods to control its spread, captive breeding programs have become essential to prevent frog extinctions 3 , but serve only as a temporary safeguard until threats can be mitigated 4 . Although some species have shown partial recovery through evolving resistance 5 , this is unlikely to occur for small remnant populations and those confined to captivity. Here, we showcase the utility of genomic selection to enhance disease resilience in the southern corroboree frog ( Pseudophryne corroboree ), a species highly susceptible to Bd and now functionally extinct in the wild 6 . By analysing disease phenotypes and genomic datasets, we found that P. corroboree survival traits following Bd exposure are polygenic with low-moderate heritability. Response to selection models predict that genomic selection could increase mean survival time by approximately 9% in the next generation. Importantly, selective breeding incorporating genomic information can help maintain genetic diversity and more effectively reduce inbreeding. These findings demonstrate a viable pathway to shift captive assurance colonies from passive repositories to proactive conservation tools, offering a sustainable strategy to improve disease resilience and support long-term recovery of wildlife threatened by emerging pathogens.