Island of opportunity: can New Guinea protect amphibians from a globally emerging pathogen?

Bower, Deborah S.; Lips, Karen R.; Amepou, Yolarnie; Richards, Stephen; Dahl, Chris; Nagombi, Elizah; Supuma, Miriam; Dabek, Lisa; Alford, Ross A.; Schwarzkopf, Lin; Ziembicki, Mark; Noro, Jeffrey N; Hamidy, Amir; Gillespie, Graeme R.; Berger, Lee; Eisemberg, Carla C.; Li, Yiming; Li, Xuan; Jennings, Charlotte K; Tjaturadi, Burhan; Peters, Andrew; Krockenberger, Andrew K.; Nason, Dillian; Kusrini, Mirza Dikari; Webb, Rebecca; Skerratt, Lee F.; Banks, Chris; Mack, Andrew L.; Georges, Arthur; Clulow, Simon

doi:10.1002/fee.2057

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Bd is widespread, although infection and prevalence are not necessarily high in all regions where it is found. Also, there are isolated regions like Papua New Guinea where this pathogen has not been detected (Bower et al 2019). Constant monitoring and the establishment of proper biosecurity mechanisms can help to ensure that Bd does not expand its range and to react rapidly to its detection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracking Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection Across the Globe

2020

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Infection records of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a pathogen that has devastated amphibian populations worldwide, have rapidly increased since the pathogen’s discovery. Dealing with so many records makes it difficult to (a) know where, when and in which species infections have been detected, (b) understand how widespread and pervasive Bd is and (c) prioritize study and management areas. We conducted a systematic review of papers and compiled a database with Bd infection records. Our dataset covers 71 amphibian families and 119 countries. The data revealed how widespread and adaptable Bd is, being able to infect over 50% of all tested amphibian species, with over 1000 confirmed host species and being present in 86 countries. The distribution of infected species is uneven among and within countries. Areas where the distributions of many infected species overlap are readily visible; these are regions where Bd likely develops well. Conversely, areas where the distributions of species that tested negative overlap, such as the Atlantic Coast in the USA, suggest the presence of Bd refuges. Finally, we report how the number of tested and infected species has changed through time, and provide a list of oldest detection records per country.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracking Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection Across the Globe

2020

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“…Further surveys for the pathogen are necessary across the Solomon Islands archipelago, but a precautionary approach should be taken -management strategies and disease surveillance protocols that assume B. dendrobatidis has not yet been introduced to the Solomon Islands archipelago and that native amphibians may be at risk of impact if the fungus is introduced, should be implemented. We echo recent calls for action for an international, multidisciplinary approach to reduce the chances of the pathogen being imported into Melanesia, and limit its impact if it is (Bower et al 2019(Bower et al , 2020. Strategies should focus on preventing its importation, including via tourism, logging, and mining activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Apparent absence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in frogs in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands

Alabai¹,

Esau²,

Kekeubata³

et al. 2021

Pac. Conserv. Biol.

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A major driver of global biodiversity loss is disease. One of the most devastating wildlife diseases known is chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and is implicated in population declines in over 500 frog species. Thought to originate in Asia, B. dendrobatidis now has a global distribution, likely due to human movement and trade. The pathogen has yet to be detected in Melanesia, but there have been few surveys for B. dendrobatidis in the region, and none in the Solomon Islands archipelago, a biogeographic region with a unique and culturally important frog fauna. We swabbed 200 frogs of eight species in three genera in lowland and highland sites in East Kwaio on the island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands. All frogs tested negative for the pathogen but it is possible that the pathogen is present despite non-detection, so further surveys for the pathogen are needed throughout the country. Despite this, it is safest to take a precautionary approach and assume that B. dendrobatidis has not yet been introduced to the Solomon Islands, and that naïve native amphibian populations may be at risk of decline if the pathogen is introduced. Protocols are needed to prevent the accidental import of infected frogs via tourism or in logging or mining equipment. Monitoring of frog populations near areas of high risk such as ports is also recommended. The frogs of the Solomon Islands archipelago are biologically unique and culturally significant, and protecting them from the potentially devastating impacts of B. dendrobatidis is vital.

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“…DNA can degrade on fixed museum specimens over time (Zimmermann et al, 2008) and the preservation history of our museum samples from PNG was unknown. In addition, lowland regions are not optimal climates for Bd growth (Bower et al, 2019), and many of the species we swabbed (e.g., terrestrial Microhylids) could have innate resistance, behavioral avoidance of Bd exposure or other factors that could reduce the probability of detecting Bd.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While Asian species appear largely resistant and very tolerant to Bd (Swei et al, 2011), much of the frog fauna in PNG is closely affiliated with many susceptible Australian species. This includes more than 100 species of Pelodryadidae that occupy high elevation regions (Bower et al, 2019). These are high-risk taxa considering declines in closely related species (e.g., Litoria spp) elsewhere (Richards, McDonald, & Alford, 1993) and some species are susceptible to Bd under experimental exposure (Fu & Waldman, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Efficient management of remaining refugia such as New Guinea requires not just scientific input, but integrated engagement of scientists, biosecurity departments, legislators, policymakers, on-ground managers, extractive industries and local landowners (Bower et al, 2017). We need to identify likely key points of entry to New Guinea and improve biosecurity to minimize the risk of entry (Bower et al, 2019). It will be imperative to identify avenues of potential spread and refugia from chytrid fungus should it arrive.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Disease surveillance of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Papua New Guinea

Bower

Jennings

Webb

et al. 2020

Conservat Sci and Prac

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Emerging infectious diseases threaten the persistence of biodiversity globally. The amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is one of the most widespread and damaging pathogens to biodiversity. New Guinea hosts 6% of the world's frogs and is the largest landmass where B. dendrobatidis remains undetected despite being largely climatically suitable for its persistence. We surveyed for B. dendrobatidis in Papua New Guinea, by swabbing live frogs in the Gulf Province and Eastern Highlands Province and by examining museum specimens from a range of sites and elevations. Here, we show that over a large geographical range, all 442 samples were negative for B. dendrobatidis. The spread of B. dendrobatidis to Papua New Guinea may have been thus far prevented by the remoteness of New Guinea and the hotter climate in its lowlands, which surrounds a more climatically suitable zone for B. dendrobatidis in the highlands. Alternatively, B. dendrobatidis may be present in isolated patches or at low levels and remain undetected, to date. Papua New Guinea remains at risk and would benefit from a national disease surveillance program for chytrid fungi and pre‐emptive actions, designed to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. Measures should include improved biosecurity protocols for trade and travel and continued disease surveillance in areas of probable entry and spread.

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Island of opportunity: can New Guinea protect amphibians from a globally emerging pathogen?

Cited by 10 publications

References 35 publications

Tracking Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection Across the Globe

Tracking Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection Across the Globe

Apparent absence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in frogs in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands

Disease surveillance of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Papua New Guinea

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