Magnitude of the US trade in amphibians and presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and ranavirus infection in imported North American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana)

Schloegel, Lisa M.; Picco, Angela M.; Kilpatrick, A. Marm; Davies, Angela J.; Hyatt, Alex D.; Daszak, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2009.02.007

Cited by 208 publications

(199 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

190

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…It was not surprising that bullfrogs were in this group, as they have been shown in previous research to be a carrier, even an international carrier in the pet and food trade, of Bd (Daszak et al 2004, Schloegel et al 2009). Our data perhaps indicate that along with bullfrogs, these other ranids are also effective carriers of Bd.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

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

Richards-Hrdlicka

Richardson²,

Mohabir³

2013

Dis. Aquat. Org.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is an emerging infectious fungal pathogen of amphibians and is linked to global population declines. Until now, there has only been 1 survey for the fungus in the northeastern USA, which focused primarily on northern New England. We tested for Bd in a large number of samples (916 individuals from 116 sites) collected throughout the state of Connecticut, representing 18 native amphibian species. In addition, 239 preserved wood frog Lithobates sylvaticus tadpoles from throughout the state were screened for the fungus. Bd presence was assessed in both the fresh field swabs and the preserved samples using a sensitive quantitative PCR assay. Our contemporary survey found widespread Bd prevalence throughout Connecticut, occurring in 14 species and in 28% of all sampled animals. No preserved L. sylvaticus specimens tested positive for the fungus. Two common species, bullfrogs R. catesbeiana and green frogs R. clamitans had particularly high infection rates (0.21−0.39 and 0.33−0.42, respectively), and given their wide distribution throughout the state, we suggest they may serve as sentinels for Bd occurrence in this region. Further analyses found that several other factors increase the likelihood of infection, including life stage, host sex, and host family. Within sites, ponds with ranids, especially green frogs, increased the likelihood of Bd prevalence. By studying Bd in populations not facing mass declines, the results from this study are an important contribution to our understanding of how some amphibian species and populations remain infected yet exhibit no signs of chytridiomycosis even when Bd is widely distributed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

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

Richards-Hrdlicka

Richardson²,

Mohabir³

2013

Dis. Aquat. Org.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, barred tiger salamander ( Ambystoma mavortium ) larvae are sold as fi shing bait in the southwestern USA, and as many as 100 % have been shown to be infected with the ranavirus, Ambystoma tigrinum virus (ATV; Picco and Collins 2008 ;Brunner et al 2015 ). Amphibian ranaviruses have been found in animals that are traded over international borders for a variety of reasons, including human consumption and the pet trade (Schloegel et al 2009 ;Kolby et al 2014 ). Schloegel et al ( 2009 ) found that 8.5 % of amphibians imported into the USA at three major port Allender), and ( f ) infected green striped tree dragon ( Japalura splendida ) with ranavirus-associated dermatitis in Germany (credit = Helge Behncke) cities were infected with ranavirus.…”

Section: And 2 ) Most Of What Is Knownmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Amphibian ranaviruses have been found in animals that are traded over international borders for a variety of reasons, including human consumption and the pet trade (Schloegel et al 2009 ;Kolby et al 2014 ). Schloegel et al ( 2009 ) found that 8.5 % of amphibians imported into the USA at three major port Allender), and ( f ) infected green striped tree dragon ( Japalura splendida ) with ranavirus-associated dermatitis in Germany (credit = Helge Behncke) cities were infected with ranavirus. Similarly, Kolby et al ( 2014 ) found over 50 % of amphibians exported via Hong Kong International Airport were infected with ranavirus.…”

Section: And 2 ) Most Of What Is Knownmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If novel strains of ranaviruses are introduced into naïve populations, experimental evidence suggests that there could be devastating effects (e.g., Pearman et al 2004 ;Storfer et al 2007 ;Hoverman et al 2010 ). With the trade in animals being truly global and ranaviruses accompanying them (e.g., Schloegel et al 2009 ;Kolby et al 2014 ), it is important to understand what ranaviruses are being transported and where they end up.…”

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Distribution and Host Range of Ranaviruses

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Most of these reports have been associated with amphibian larvae , although dieoffs in adult frogs and newts have occurred in Europe (Cunningham et al 2007, Balseiro et al 2010. Given the threat posed by ranaviruses to amphibians and the possibility of transporting the virus during commerce, ranaviral disease was listed as notifiable by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE, Schloegel et al 2009). The OIE guidelines require testing of commercially traded amphibians prior to shipment in order to verify that they are not infected with ranavirus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reliability of non-lethal surveillance methods for detecting ranavirus infection

Gray¹,

Miller²,

Hoverman³

2012

Dis. Aquat. Org.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ranaviruses have been identified as the etiologic agent in many amphibian die-offs across the globe. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is commonly used to detect ranavirus infection in amphibian hosts, but the test results may vary between tissue samples obtained by lethal and non-lethal procedures. Testing liver samples for infection is a common lethal sampling technique to estimate ranavirus prevalence because the pathogen often targets this organ and the liver is easy to identify and collect. However, tail clips or swabs may be more practicable for ranavirus surveillance programs compared with collecting and euthanizing animals, especially for uncommon species. Using PCR results from liver samples for comparison, we defined false-positive test results as occurrences when a non-lethal technique indicated positive but the liver sample was negative. Similarly, we defined false-negative test results as occurrences when a non-lethal technique was negative but the liver sample was positive. Using these decision rules, we estimated false-negative and false-positive rates for tail clips and swabs. Our study was conducted in a controlled facility using American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles; false-positive and falsenegative rates were estimated after different periods of time following exposure to ranavirus. False-negative and false-positive rates were 20 and 6%, respectively, for tail samples, and 22 and 12%, respectively, for swabs. False-negative rates were constant over time, but false-positive rates decreased with post-exposure duration. Our results suggest that non-lethal sampling techniques can be useful for ranavirus surveillance, although the prevalence of infection may be underestimated when compared to results obtained with liver samples. KEY WORDS: Iridovirus · Ranavirus · Molecular technique · PCR · Sampling · SurveillanceResale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher shipment in order to verify that they are not infected with ranavirus. Also, in order to better understand the threat that ranaviruses pose to native amphibians, surveillance for this pathogen is becoming more widespread in wild populations (e.g. Gray et al. 2007, 2009b, Greer et al. 2009, Hoverman et al. 2012. Given the increased need to test amphibians for rana virus infection, the usefulness of non-lethal sampling techniques needs to be determined.Common non-lethal techniques for pathogen testing include tail or toe clips and swabs of the oral cavity, cloaca and skin , Kriger et al. 2006, St-Amour & Lesbarrères 2007, Driskell et al. 2009, Gray et al. 2009b. Testing amphibians for infection using non-lethal techniques has several advantages -including, presumably, a low impact on wild or captive populations, the possibility of repeat sampling of the same individual, and generally, a lower cost compared to full necropsies of euthanized animals (Greer & Collins 2007, St-Amour & Lesbarrères 2007, Green et al. 2010. These advantages are particularly useful when monitoring infection in uncommo...

show abstract

Magnitude of the US trade in amphibians and presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and ranavirus infection in imported North American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana)

Cited by 208 publications

References 34 publications

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

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

Distribution and Host Range of Ranaviruses

Reliability of non-lethal surveillance methods for detecting ranavirus infection

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About