Fatal Chytridiomycosis in the Tyrrhenian Painted Frog

Abstract

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the causative agent of the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, is an important factor in the global decline of amphibians. Within Europe, animals that exhibit clinical signs of the disease have only been reported in Spain despite the pathogen's wide, but patchy, distribution on the continent. Recently, another occurrence of chytridiomycosis was reported in Euproctus platycephalus, the Sardinian brook newt, on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, but without any evidence of fatal disease. We report further evidence of the emergence of Bd on Sardinia and the first evidence of lethal chytridiomycosis outside of Spain. Unusual mortalities of the Tyrrhenian painted frog (Discoglossus sardus) were found at three sites in the Limbara mountains of northern Sardinia. Molecular and histological screens of corpses, frogs, and tadpoles from these sites revealed infection with Bd. Infection and mortality occurred at locations that are unusual in terms of the published habitat requirements of the pathogen. Given the endemicity, the IUCN Red List status of the amphibian species on Sardinia, and the occurrence of infection and mortality caused by chytridiomycosis, there is serious reason for concern for the impact that disease emergence may have on the conservation of the amphibians of the island.

First survey for the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Connecticut (USA) finds widespread prevalence

“…Identified in the late 1990s (Berger et al 1998, Longcore et al 1999, Bd has received much research attention, as many scientists are working to identify its range and what host species are susceptible to infection (e.g. Woodhams et al 2008, Bielby et al 2009, Gaertner et al 2009, Murphy et al 2009). Many of the regions and species that are the focus of extensive research efforts are those either currently undergoing declines or are species of conservation concern (e.g.…”

The pandemic pathogen of amphibians,Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Phylum Chytridiomycota), in Italy

“…The only published evidence of lethal chytridiomycosis in Italian amphibians outside of captivity remains the study by Bielby et al (2009). Unusual mortality of D. sardus at three locations in northern Sardinia was associated with Bd infections detected in dead animals or infection of conspecifics at the location where mortality was previously observed.…”

“…Together these suggest that existing data substantially underestimate the actual distribution of Bd in Italy. Notably, the study by Bielby et al (2009) is the first evidence in Europe of significant adult anuran mortality linked with possible declines. Other published studies of lethal chytridiomycosis in European anurans report mortality primarily in near-or recently metamorphosed juveniles (Bosch et al 2001;Bosch & Martínez-Solano 2006;Garner et al 2009b;Pasmans et al 2010;Tobler & Schmidt 2010;Walker et al 2010).…”

“…The first record in captivity describes infection of imported, wildcollected animals as well as captive-reared amphibians, both sampled in 1999 in Germany and Belgium (Mutschmann et al 2000). Since then our knowledge regarding the distribution of infection in Europe and European hosts has increased substantially (Garner et al 2005;Bosch & Martínez-Solano 2006;Garner et al 2006;Bosch et al 2007;Bovero et al 2008b;Walker et al 2008;Bielby et al 2009;Garner et al 2009b;Pasmans et al 2010;Tobler & Schmidt 2010;Walker et al 2010;Ohst et al 2011;Sztatecsny & Glaser 2011). Bd was detected for the first time in Italy in 2000 (as reported in ), but little is known regarding the impact of Bd on Italy's highly diverse amphibian fauna.…”

“…Bd was detected for the first time in Italy in 2000 (as reported in ), but little is known regarding the impact of Bd on Italy's highly diverse amphibian fauna. This is a concern, as some of Italy's amphibians have experienced rapid declines that are similar to those due to chytridiomycosis in the New World and Australia, and two Italian endemics have experienced significant lethal chytridiomycosis Bielby et al 2009 Figure 1), representing both endemic and introduced species.…”