Building an Understanding of Invasion Threat in North America With

March 2019 AMPHIBIAN SURVIVAL ALLIANCE NEWTSLETTER Got a story you want to share? Drop Candace an email today! [email protected] Stories from our partners around the world © Todd Amacker © Todd Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans: Building an Understanding of Invasion Threat in North America with Conservation Partners Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans thousands of Bsal-infected salaman- In 2016, a collaboration among the (Bsal) is a recently discovered fungal ders could have already crossed U.S. University of Tennessee, Tennes- pathogen from Asia that is emerg- borders, although to date, no posi- see Wildlife Resources Agency, and ing and causing salamander declines tive Bsal detections have occurred. North Carolina Wildlife Resources in Europe. Unregulated trade of Risk models developed by the U.S. Commission began to investigate infected non-native salamanders is Geological Survey based on environ- the relative susceptibility of North believed to be the route of entry. mental suitability suggest that the American salamander species to the North America is home to the great- likelihood of Bsal invasion in North foreign pathogen, Bsal. One year est diversity of salamanders in the America is high. However, these and later the NGOs, Liquid Spark, BAND world. Currently, no regulations other risk analyses have not taken Foundation, and Amphibian Survival exist in North America that require into consideration the susceptibility Alliance, joined the effort along with pathogen-free trade of amphib- of amphibian host species, which researchers from University of Mas- ians. Estimates of trade volume and could affectBsal invasion potential. sachusetts, Vanderbilt University, pathogen prevalence suggest that Washington State University, and Plan” approach for holistic con- this year is taking place at the Man- servation action (page 5). Global chester Metropolitan University, Wildlife Conservation and Rain- UK, on 27th-28th April 2019 (www. forest Trust have partnered with manchesteramphibianresearch. Temple University, Haiti National com) in collaboration with Ches- Trust and Société Audubon Haiti ter Zoo. ACRS is a great place for to create Haiti’s first ever private members of the amphibian conser- Nature Reserve, which will protect vation community to mingle, learn EDITORIAL many threatened animals, includ- about many fascinating research ing 16 amphibian species (page 6). and conservation projects, and Building partnerships leads to You will also discover how painting meet this year’s Future Leaders of fascinating combinations of skills, rocks can help your local amphib- Amphibian Conservation, who are experiences and motivations. In ian friends (page 8), hear about awarded scholarships to attend and this issue of the Frogress Report, Paignton Zoo’s recent success in present the wonderful work they we learn about a collaboration breeding Fea's flying frog (Rhaco- are doing in their home countries between several partners (includ- phorus feae; page 9), encounter to benefit amphibian conservation. ing the University of Tennessee and “Jewels of the Neotropics - A The closing date for registrations is adventure marketing agency Liquid Documentary to Save Poison Frogs” this Friday 29th March. We hope to Spark) to combat the threat of the (page 10), and meet ASA’s fantas- see you there! infectious fungal pathogen Bsal to tic Communications Intern, Luis North American salamanders (page Fernando Marin da Fonte, who tells Helen Meredith, PhD 1). Frogs & Friends have teamed about his experiences of amphib- Executive Director up with Verband der Zoologischen ian conservation across Brazil and Amphibian Survival Alliance Gärten and the German Society for beyond (page 11). Herpetology to launch the Citizen Conservation project, helping to Finally, there is still time to register integrate the amphibian captive for the Amphibian Conservation breeding community into a “One Research Symposium (ACRS), which Universidad Nacional Autónoma de UT Center for Wildlife Health has Bsal is a skin pathogen, the team México. been great; Dr. Matt Gray, the lead swabbed animals every six days after scientist on the Southern Appalachi- pathogen exposure to estimate Bsal “Liquid Spark is proud to that our ans project at the Center for Wildlife infection intensity. Of the species first 1% for the Planet donation in Health, Institute of Agriculture, Uni- tested, approximately 75% became 2016 started the seed grant for this versity of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN infected and 30% developed Bsal critical early research on the Bsal keeps us apprised of recent research chytridiomycosis. Generally, dose- threat to salamanders in the Great developments and we get to visit dependent infection prevalence and Smoky Mountains, our agency’s his team to see the ongoing experi- mortality were observed in suscep- “backyard." It’s extraordinarily ments and learn how that research tible species. Gross signs of Bsal gratifying for us to play a part in translates to field applications. This chytridiomycosis included necrotic a project that ultimately has the is a transparent, meaningful conser- ulcerations that penetrated through protection of amphibian biodiver- vation partnership at its very best," the epidermis and sometimes into sity on an entire continent – North said Julie Thorner, president, Liq- granular glands with occasional America – at stake. Fast forward to uid Spark, Inc. focal hemorrhaging. In addition, 2019 – and key grants from federal diseased salamanders demonstrated sources have amplified this project This initial collaborative effort re- excessive skin shedding and altered across North America. We support sulted in testing 29 North American behavior. Susceptible species that Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) amphibian species to Bsal infection developed Bsal chytridiomycosis because ASA is a proven organiza- and development of the disease, and experienced mortality included tion at the forefront of watershed Bsal chytridiomycosis. In biosecure five lungless salamander species and ecosystem protection. We know environmental chambers, salaman- (Family Plethodontidae) and four our donation goes immediately to ders of these species were exposed newt species (Family Salamandri- work being conducted by Dr. Gray at the University of Tennessee to dae). In particular, several species of to assess the threat of this invasive one of four Bsal zoospore doses conservation concern (e.g., Green pathogen in southern Appalachia. (103-6), and their condition moni- salamander, Aneides aeneus; Striped Our relationship with ASA and the tored for at least six weeks. Because newt, Notophthalmus perstriatus) developed Bsal chytridiomycosis. – two other invasive fungal patho- experts can come together in the In addition, some abundant species gens known to kill wildlife species,” effort to control an invasive wildlife with large geographic distributions said Matt Gray with the Center for disease,” said Reid Harris, director (e.g., Eastern newt, N. viridescens; Wildlife Health, Institute of Agricul- of international disease mitigation, Rough-skinned newt, Taricha ture, University of Tennessee Amphibian Survival Alliance. granulosa) were very susceptible, Our results suggest that most North and could contribute significantly to American amphibian communities Recent federal grants by the U.S. Na- the amplification and spread of Bsal will be composed of a combina- tional Science Foundation (Division in North America. Seven additional tion of amplification, tolerant and of Environmental Biology, Ecology of salamander species in Plethodonti- resistant host species, which will Infectious Disease Program, Grant dae, Ambystomatidae, and Crypto- facilitate the emergence, spread and #1814520) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife branchidae maintained Bsal infec- maintenance of Bsal in the western Service (competitive state wildlife tions without disease developing, hemisphere if the pathogen is intro- grant TN-U2-F19AP00047 awarded and could serve as carrier species. duced. Natural resource and wildlife to Tennessee Wildlife Resources The team also documented that health agencies should deem the Agency) are helping expand research some frogs species could become introduction of Bsal into the USA, on Bsal in North America. More infected with Bsal, illustrating the Canada and Mexico as a serious information of the Bsal project led host range of Bsal is broader that conservation threat, proactively by the University of Tennessee is previously thought. Several species establish regulations to reduce the available at: https://ag.tennessee. that became infected with Bsal are likelihood of introduction, and sup- edu/fwf/bsalproject/. traded internationally (e.g., Mexican port research and planning activities axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum), that evaluate disease response and Matthew J. Gray, Ph.D. and could facilitate translocation management strategies that could of Bsal into naïve locations, such fight an invasion if Bsal emerges in Center for Wildlife Health, Institute as North America. Nine amphibian North America. of Agriculture, University of Tennes- species tested were resistant to Bsal see, Knoxville, TN, mgray11@utk. infections, which is hopeful, and "Bsal represents an existential edu could provide insight into develop- threat to salamander species in ing disease treatment and manage- North America. Salamander are ment strategies. not often seen, yet they perform vital ecosystem services. The work “The invasion of Bsal into North performed by Dr. Matt Gray is vital America would be devastating and

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