Decline of an isolated timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) population: Interactions between climate change, disease, and loss of genetic diversity

Clark, Rulon W.; Marchand, M; Clifford, Brendan J.; Stechert, Randy; Stephens, Sierra

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2010.12.001

Cited by 138 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

109

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…However, it is also plausible that factors associated with small population size contribute to disease. Suspected infections by O. ophiodiicola were thought to act in concert with habitat destruction and inbreeding depression to cause the decline of a timber rattlesnake population in New Hampshire, USA [5]. In that study, the authors speculated that loss of genetic diversity may have resulted in increased disease susceptibility.…”

Section: Cause Of Emergencementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Snake fungal disease: an emerging threat to wild snakes

Lorch

Knowles

Lankton

et al. 2016

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

190

241

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Since 2006, there has been a marked increase in the number of reports of severe and often fatal fungal skin infections in wild snakes in the eastern USA. The emerging condition, referred to as snake fungal disease (SFD), was initially documented in rattlesnakes, where the infections were believed to pose a risk to the viability of affected populations. The disease is caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola , a fungus recently split from a complex of fungi long referred to as the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV). Here we review the current state of knowledge about O. ophiodiicola and SFD. In addition, we provide original findings which demonstrate that O. ophiodiicola is widely distributed in eastern North America, has a broad host range, is the predominant cause of fungal skin infections in wild snakes and often causes mild infections in snakes emerging from hibernation. This new information, together with what is already available in the scientific literature, advances our knowledge of the cause, pathogenesis and ecology of SFD. However, additional research is necessary to elucidate the factors driving the emergence of this disease and develop strategies to mitigate its impacts. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Tackling emerging fungal threats to animal health, food security and ecosystem resilience’.

show abstract

Section: Cause Of Emergencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Beginning in 2006, severe skin infections were reported in association with a precipitous decline in a timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) population in the northeastern USA [5]. In 2008, similar infections involving a fungal aetiology emerged in Illinois, USA in an imperiled population of massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus) [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Snake fungal disease: an emerging threat to wild snakes

Lorch

Knowles

Lankton

et al. 2016

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

190

241

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Thus, declines in population size are of obvious conservation concern as they reduce the probability of population persistence and may impair fitness (Briskie and Mackintosh 2004) and reduce evolutionary potential in the longer term (Frankham et al 1999). Genetic studies can provide important insights for species of conservation concern including helping to (1) diagnose genetically distinct clusters (Manel et al 2004), (2) quantify and understand altered dispersal patterns (Row et al 2010), (3) detect signatures of population declines, including bottlenecks, and reduced genetically effective population sizes (N e ) in populations of rare or at-risk species (Hoffman et al 2011;Wall et al 2014), and (4) identify populations that are vulnerable to inbreeding (Clark et al 2011;Storfer et al 2014). Consequently, understanding how genetic factors contribute to extinction risk in populations of critically endangered or threatened species can facilitate decisions for prioritizing conservation and management efforts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population genetic structure at the northern range limit of the threatened eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

Xuereb

Rouse

Cunnington³

et al. 2015

Conserv Genet

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Habitat loss and fragmentation have important consequences for population persistence by reducing dispersal, connectivity, and population size. Characterizing patterns of population genetic structure and gene flow, and testing for the genetic signature of population declines and inbreeding can provide key insights into conservation for at-risk species. We use 12 microsatellite DNA markers to quantify the spatial structuring across two regional populations of the threatened eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos) in Ontario, Canada. We further test for inbreeding and recent, rapid population declines, for the latter using both a 'heterozygosity excess' approach and Approximate Bayesian computation. Spatial Bayesian assignment tests revealed four distinct genetic clusters that were not apparent from species occurrence data, suggesting that the current designation of a single management unit for this species is invalid. We found some evidence for inbreeding in all studied locales. However, heterozygosity excess tests provided only weak evidence for recent bottlenecks and varied according to mutational model specified. In contrast, ABC provided strong support for a recent and rapid reduction in population size within one sample locale (Wasaga Beach), where individuals are largely confined to a small area circumscribed by expanding urban areas. For three other locales investigated, we found equal support for either recent rapid or gradual population declines. Immediate action is required for Wasaga Beach if this population is to persist.

show abstract

“…5,7,9,10 Despite the endangered status of eastern massasaugas (in the state of Illinois) and the severity of recent disease outbreaks, 1 the epidemiology of this disease is not well understood. Current and future epidemiologic surveys that determine the extent of disease and the range of species affected depend on effective diagnostic assays.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6 However, experimental studies show O. ophiodiicola can serve as a primary pathogen and source of mortality in reptiles. 1,5 Since 2008, 9 eastern massasaugas from the Carlyle Lake population have been diagnosed with an O. ophiodiicola infection using a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. 1,2 In 2011, health assessments of the Carlyle Lake population focused on early detection of the fungus from facial swabs using a conventional PCR targeting a consensus region within the fungal 18S ribosomal RNS (rRNA) gene segment, but none of the 38 animals tested were diagnosed as having O. ophidiicola.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and use of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in snakes

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Fungal pathogens threatening the conservation of wildlife are becoming increasingly common. Since 2008, freeranging snakes across North America have been experiencing a marked increase in the prevalence of snake fungal disease associated with Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. Diagnosis has historically relied on histology, microbiology, and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). More sensitive methods are needed to adequately characterize the epidemiology. The current study describes the development of a real-time PCR (qPCR) assay for detecting a segment of the internal transcribed spacer 1 region between the 18S and 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene. The assay was able to detect as few as 1.05 × 10 1 gene copies per reaction. An additional 4 positive cases were detected when comparing a conventional PCR (n = 3) and the qPCR (n = 7) when used on swab samples from 47 eastern massasauga rattlesnakes. The newly developed assay is a sensitive and specific tool for surveillance and monitoring in the conservation of free-ranging snakes.

show abstract

Decline of an isolated timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) population: Interactions between climate change, disease, and loss of genetic diversity

Cited by 138 publications

References 32 publications

Snake fungal disease: an emerging threat to wild snakes

Snake fungal disease: an emerging threat to wild snakes

Population genetic structure at the northern range limit of the threatened eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

Development and use of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in snakes

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About