DOCSLIB.ORG

Risk Analysis CMTV-Like Virus April 2013 1

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Risk analysis CMTV-like virus April 2013 1 This document should be referred to as: Rijks JM, Sptizen-van der Sluijs A, Leuven RSEW, Martel A, Kik M, Pasmans, F, Zollinger R, Verbrugge LNH, Gröne A (2012). Risk analysis of the common midwife toad-like virus (CMTV-like virus) in the Netherlands. NVWA, Min EZ report 60000784-2012 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Risk analysis CMTV-like virus April 2013 2 Table of contents Executive summary 5 Part 1 - General background information for risk analysis 9 Theme 1 - The virus 10 Theme 2 - Distribution of CMTV-like virus 12 Theme 3 - Known susceptible host species 14 Theme 4 - Host life stages affected 16 Theme 5 - Dispersal characteristics of host species 18 Theme 6 - Distribution of susceptible host species in the Netherlands 20 Theme 7 - Distribution of potential hosts across the border 22 Theme 8 - Accompanying amphibian species 24 Theme 9 - Water body types with CMTV-like virus 26 Theme 10 - Month of outbreak and water temperature 28 Theme 11 - Water quality at outbreak sites 30 Theme 12 - Inventory of trade of amphibians in Belgium 32 Theme 13 - Inventory of hobby kept amphibians in Belgium 34 Theme 14 - Legal re-introductions and translocations in the Netherlands 36 Theme 15 - Illegal introductions 38 Theme 16 - Flyways 39 Part 2 - Risk assessment 40 1. Method 40 2. Results 42 2.1 Probability of introduction 42 2.1.1 Introduction through human activities 42 2.1.1.1 Legal trade through Schiphol 42 2.1.1.2. Amphibian trade in Belgium 44 2.1.1.3 Entry of CMTV-like virus imported via live amphibians into nature 45 2.1.2. Introduction through natural dispersal 46 2.1.2.1 Introduction via infected amphibians crossing borders into the Netherlands 46 2.1.2.2 Introduction via migrating birds 46 2.2 Likelihood of establishment 47 2.2.1 Susceptible hosts are present 47 2.2.1.1 Susceptible species 47 2.2.1.2 Susceptible populations 47 2.2.1.3 Susceptible individuals 47 2.2.2 Dutch environment in general appears suitable 49 2.2.2.1 Temperature 49 2.2.2.2 Suitable sites 49 2.2.3 The virus has strategies to maintain itself 49 2.2.3.1 Probable lengthy survival outside the host 50 2.2.3.2 Reservoirs 50 2.3 Probability of spread 50 2.3.1 Spread through human activities 50 2.3.1.1 Legal re-introductions and translocations of threatened native species 50 2.3.1.2 Other human-mediated transfer of potentially infected hosts 52 2.3.1.3 Dispersal by fomites (equipment, transfer of water or sediment) 52 2.3.2 Natural spread 52 2.3.2.1 Dispersal of (sub-)clinically infected hosts 52 2.3.2.2 Birds or other animals 53 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Risk analysis CMTV-like virus April 2013 3 2.4 High risk areas 53 2.5 Impact 54 2.5.1 Ecological impact 54 2.5.1.1 Amphibians 54 2.5.1.2 Effects on biodiversity 55 2.5.2 Socio-economic impact 56 2.6 Risk classification using the ISEIA protocol 57 2.6.1. Expert consensus scores 57 2.6.2 Dispersion potential or invasiveness 57 2.6.3 Colonisation of high conservation value habitats 58 2.6.4 Adverse impacts on native species 58 2.6.5 Alteration of ecosystem functions 58 2.6.6 Risk classification 59 Part 3 - Risk management options 61 3.1. Prevention of introduction 61 3.1.1 Make sure that CMMTV-like virus can be detected in imported captive specimens at the border 3.1.1.1 Obtain sufficient sight on amphibians imported 61 3.1.1.2 Improve the capacity to detect CMTV-like virus in imported specimens at the border 61 3.1.2 Reduce the risk that CMTV-like virus enters nature via imported kept amphibians and their waste 63 3.1.2.1 Obtain good sight on amphibian and vivarium waste disposal behavior 63 3.1.2.2 Make sure that people are aware of risky behavior and know how to minimize it 63 3.1.3 Make sure that CMTV-like virus imported via natural dispersal can be detected early on at its site of introduction, before it occurs widespread 63 3.1.3.1 Obtain a better understanding of the relative importance of introduction via natural dispersal 63 3.1.3.2 Ensure monitoring for early detection and source tracing 63 3.2 Elimination 65 3.2.1 Assisted elimination – currently only applies to captive populations and small free-living populations 65 3.2 1.1 Encourage destocking and disinfection for elimination of infection in captive settings 65 3.2.1.2 Explore options for elimination in the case of (small) infected free-living populations 65 3.2.2 Natural elimination – learn from it for larger scale assisted elimination 66 3.3 Control 68 3.3.1 Prevent human mediated spread of virus within the Netherlands 68 3.3.1.1 Prevent inadvertent to new sites via re-introduction projects 68 3.3.1.2 Prevent inadvertent spread to new sites by public or field biologists 68 3.3.2 Explore the possibility to take advantage of natural barriers to limit natural dispersal 68 3.3.3 Try to avoid further impact on threatened species and high conservation value habitats 68 3.3.4 Make sure the correct data is collected to be able to predict the effectiveness of control And elimination measures 69 Glossary 71 List of abbreviations 72 Acknowledgements 73 References 73 Contributors 80 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Risk analysis CMTV-like virus April 2013 4 Executive summary The term CMTV-like virus is used to indicate the common midwife toad virus (CMTV, GenBank accession no. FM213466.1) and viruses with partial major capsid genes showing 99.8% to 100 % sequence homology. CMTV-like virus infection is an emerging infectious disease in wild amphibians in the Netherlands. One possibility is that CMTV- like virus is a recently introduced exotic pathogen. Study aim and set-up The aim of this study is to perform a risk analysis for CMTV-like virus in the Netherlands. General background information from the literature, field surveys and interviews, was compiled in 16 themes (Part 1). Subsequently, an assessment was performed to identify 1) the possible routes of introduction of CMTV-like virus into the Netherlands, 2) the likelihood of its establishment, 3) the likelihood of its spread, and 4) the possible ecological and social impact of CMTV-like virus. An ecological risk classification score was obtained using the Belgian Invasive Species Environmental Impact Assessment (ISEIA) protocol (Part 2). Finally, opportunities for management were evaluated, as well as aspects that require further understanding for appropriate decision-making (Part 3). Part 1 - General background information for risk analysis (themes 1-16) CMTV-like virus is an amphibian ranavirus (Th.1). The virus has been detected in restricted areas in Spain in 2007 and 2008, in Belgium in 2010, and in the Netherlands in 2010, 2011 and 2012. In the Netherlands, the virus was first detected in a high conservation value habitat, the National Park Dwingelderveld (Th.2). Ranaviruses infect amphibians, reptiles or fish, or several of these (Th.1). CMTV-like virus has caused disease and mortality in half of the amphibian species that are native to the Netherlands. Among these species is the vulnerable common spadefoot Pelobates fuscus . The susceptible amphibian species belong to the order of frogs ( Anura ) or salamanders ( Caudata). In addition, CMTV-like virus infections have been observed naturally in amphibian species exotic to the Netherlands, in particular the American bullfrog Lithobathes catesbianus and poison dart frogs Dendrobates spp. The infected amphibians can show disease, but infection can also be subclinical. Evidence for infection of fish is inconclusive: one specimen found dead tested positive by PCR but autolysis hampered pathological investigation. Therefore, it remains unclear whether this case represented a true infection or contamination from the aquatic environment (Th.3). Multiple life stages of amphibians were shown to be infected in the Netherlands. The fact that not only larvae and juveniles but also (sub-)adult amphibians died during outbreaks, is suggestive of disease emergence in immunologically naïve populations (Th.4). A number of the susceptible host species are common species found in most of the country (Th.5), as well as in the neighbouring countries Belgium and Germany (Th.6). Many are good dispersers, meaning they may move distances up to several kilometres per year (Th.7). This information is relevant to the potential of the virus to spread. Further, many of the susceptible host species are common and characteristic accompanying species for each other, suggesting frequent opportunity for inter-species exposure (Th.8). Themes 9 – 11 report environmental factors that are associated with disease occurrence. The water bodies where CMTV-like outbreaks have been detected are both natural and man-made and vary in soil type, size, altitude, and uses. However, they were generally permanent, small to medium sized and unconnected to other water bodies (Th.9). Mass mortalities due to CMTV-like virus occurred in the period May to September 2011. Monitoring at infected pools in the National Park Dwingelderveld showed that water temperature at monitored sites was on average ± 19°C, and it followed mean daily air temperature. However, mortality can also occur in water that is several degrees colder (Th.10). Measurements provided no clear evidence for poor water quality at sites with CMTV-like virus associated amphibian mortality (Th.11). Themes 12 – 16 cover aspects relevant to translocation of infection. For understanding of the ways how amphibians could enter the Netherlands via Belgium, data were obtained on amphibians provided for trade by importing dealers in Belgium.
Recommended publications
  • Congolius, a New Genus of African Reed Frog Endemic to The

    Congolius, a New Genus of African Reed Frog Endemic to The

    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Congolius, a new genus of African reed frog endemic to the central Congo: A potential case of convergent evolution Tadeáš Nečas1,2*, Gabriel Badjedjea3, Michal Vopálenský4 & Václav Gvoždík1,5* The reed frog genus Hyperolius (Afrobatrachia, Hyperoliidae) is a speciose genus containing over 140 species of mostly small to medium-sized frogs distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. Its high level of colour polymorphism, together with in anurans relatively rare sexual dichromatism, make systematic studies more difcult. As a result, the knowledge of the diversity and taxonomy of this genus is still limited. Hyperolius robustus known only from a handful of localities in rain forests of the central Congo Basin is one of the least known species. Here, we have used molecular methods for the frst time to study the phylogenetic position of this taxon, accompanied by an analysis of phenotype based on external (morphometric) and internal (osteological) morphological characters. Our phylogenetic results undoubtedly placed H. robustus out of Hyperolius into a common clade with sympatric Cryptothylax and West African Morerella. To prevent the uncovered paraphyly, we place H. robustus into a new genus, Congolius. The review of all available data suggests that the new genus is endemic to the central Congolian lowland rain forests. The analysis of phenotype underlined morphological similarity of the new genus to some Hyperolius species. This uniformity of body shape (including cranial shape) indicates that the two genera have either retained ancestral morphology or evolved through convergent evolution under similar ecological pressures in the African rain forests. African reed frogs, Hyperoliidae Laurent, 1943, are presently encompassing almost 230 species in 17 genera.
  • DNR Letterhead

    DNR Letterhead

    ATU F N RA O L T R N E E S M O T U STATE OF MICHIGAN R R C A P DNR E E S D MI N DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CHIG A JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM LANSING REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES GOVERNOR DIRECTOR Michigan Frog and Toad Survey 2009 Data Summary There were 759 unique sites surveyed in Zone 1, 218 in Zone 2, 20 in Zone 3, and 100 in Zone 4, for a total of 1097 sites statewide. This is a slight decrease from the number of sites statewide surveyed last year. Zone 3 (the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula) is significantly declining in routes. Recruiting in that area has become necessary. A few of the species (i.e. Fowler’s toad, Blanchard’s cricket frog, and mink frog) have ranges that include only a portion of the state. As was done in previous years, only data from those sites within the native range of those species were used in analyses. A calling index of abundance of 0, 1, 2, or 3 (less abundant to more abundant) is assigned for each species at each site. Calling indices were averaged for a particular species for each zone (Tables 1-4). This will vary widely and cannot be considered a good estimate of abundance. Calling varies greatly with weather conditions. Calling indices will also vary between observers. Results from the evaluation of methods and data quality showed that volunteers were very reliable in their abilities to identify species by their calls, but there was variability in abundance estimation (Genet and Sargent 2003).
  • Boreal Toad (Bufo Boreas Boreas) a Technical Conservation Assessment

    Boreal Toad (Bufo Boreas Boreas) a Technical Conservation Assessment

    Boreal Toad (Bufo boreas boreas) A Technical Conservation Assessment Prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project May 25, 2005 Doug Keinath1 and Matt McGee1 with assistance from Lauren Livo2 1Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, P.O. Box 3381, Laramie, WY 82071 2EPO Biology, P.O. Box 0334, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 Peer Review Administered by Society for Conservation Biology Keinath, D. and M. McGee. (2005, May 25). Boreal Toad (Bufo boreas boreas): a technical conservation assessment. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/ assessments/borealtoad.pdf [date of access]. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors would like to thank Deb Patla and Erin Muths for their suggestions during the preparation of this assessment. Also, many thanks go to Lauren Livo for advice and help with revising early drafts of this assessment. Thanks to Jason Bennet and Tessa Dutcher for assistance in preparing boreal toad location data for mapping. Thanks to Bill Turner for information and advice on amphibians in Wyoming. Finally, thanks to the Boreal Toad Recovery Team for continuing their efforts to conserve the boreal toad and documenting that effort to the best of their abilities … kudos! AUTHORS’ BIOGRAPHIES Doug Keinath is the Zoology Program Manager for the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, which is a research unit of the University of Wyoming and a member of the Natural Heritage Network. He has been researching Wyoming’s wildlife for the past nine years and has 11 years experience in conducting technical and policy analyses for resource management professionals.
  • Water Relations of the Burrowing Sandhill Frog, Arenophryne Rotunda (Myobatrachidae)

    Water Relations of the Burrowing Sandhill Frog, Arenophryne Rotunda (Myobatrachidae)

    J Comp Physiol B (2005) DOI 10.1007/s00360-005-0051-x ORIGINAL PAPER V. A. Cartledge Æ P. C. Withers Æ G. G. Thompson K. A. McMaster Water relations of the burrowing sandhill frog, Arenophryne rotunda (Myobatrachidae) Received: 24 July 2005 / Revised: 17 October 2005 / Accepted: 26 October 2005 Ó Springer-Verlag 2005 Abstract Arenophryne rotunda is a small (2–8 g) terres- Keywords Arid Æ Dehydration Æ Osmolality Æ trial frog that inhabits the coastal sand dunes of central Rehydration Æ Soil water potential Western Australia. While sand burrowing is a strategy employed by many frog species inhabiting Australia’s Abbreviations EWL: Evaporative water loss semi-arid and arid zones, A. rotunda is unique among burrowing species because it lives independently of free water and can be found nocturnally active on the dune Introduction surface for relatively extended periods. Consequently, we examined the physiological factors that enable this Despite the low and irregular rainfall, frogs are found in unique frog to maintain water balance. A. rotunda was most Australian desert regions and are often the most not found to have any special adaptation to reduce EWL abundant vertebrate species in a given area (Main 1968; (being equivalent to a free water surface) or rehydrate Read 1999). Most frogs inhabiting Australia’s semi-arid from water (having the lowest rehydration rate mea- and arid regions burrow into the soil to reduce desic- sured for 15 Western Australian frog species), but it was cation. Some of these burrowing frogs (Neobatrachus able to maintain water balance in sand of very low and Cyclorana spp.) form a cocoon by accumulating moisture (1–2%).
  • Developing Methods to Mitigate Chytridiomycosis, an Emerging Disease of Amphibians

    Developing Methods to Mitigate Chytridiomycosis, an Emerging Disease of Amphibians

    Zurich Open Repository and Archive University of Zurich Main Library Strickhofstrasse 39 CH-8057 Zurich www.zora.uzh.ch Year: 2013 Developing methods to mitigate chytridiomycosis, an emerging disease of amphibians Geiger, Corina C Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-86534 Dissertation Published Version Originally published at: Geiger, Corina C. Developing methods to mitigate chytridiomycosis, an emerging disease of amphibians. 2013, University of Zurich, Faculty of Science. ❉❡✈❡❧♦♣✐♥❣ ▼❡❤♦❞ ♦ ▼✐✐❣❛❡ ❈❤②✐❞✐♦♠②❝♦✐✱ ❛♥ ❊♠❡❣✐♥❣ ❉✐❡❛❡ ♦❢ ❆♠♣❤✐❜✐❛♥ Dissertation zur Erlangung der naturwissenschaftlichen Doktorw¨urde (Dr. sc. nat.) vorgelegt der Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Fakult¨at der Universit¨atZ¨urich von Corina Claudia Geiger von Chur GR Promotionskomitee Prof. Dr. Lukas Keller (Vorsitz) Prof. Dr. Heinz-Ulrich Reyer Dr. Benedikt R. Schmidt (Leitung der Dissertation) Dr. Matthew C. Fisher (Gutachter) Z¨urich, 2013 ❉❡✈❡❧♦♣✐♥❣ ▼❡❤♦❞ ♦ ▼✐✐❣❛❡ ❈❤②✐❞✐♦♠②❝♦✐✱ ❛♥ ❊♠❡❣✐♥❣ ❉✐❡❛❡ ♦❢ ❆♠♣❤✐❜✐❛♥ Corina Geiger Dissertation Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies University of Zurich Supervisors Dr. Benedikt R. Schmidt Prof. Dr. Heinz-Ulrich Reyer Dr. Matthew C. Fisher Prof. Dr. Lukas Keller Z¨urich, 2013 To all the midwife toads that got sampled during this project ”The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.” - Jane Goodall Acknowledgements I cordially thank Beni Schmidt for his support which was always so greatly appreciated, be it in fund raising, designing experiments or for his skilled statistical and editorial judgments. He managed to explain the meaning of any complex problem in simple terms and again and again he turned out to be a walking encyclopedia of amphibians, statistical models, Bd and many other common and uncommon topics.
  • RSG Book Template 2011 V4 051211

    RSG Book Template 2011 V4 051211

    The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or any of the funding organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN. Published by: IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group & Environment Agency-ABU DHABI Copyright: © 2011 International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Citation: Soorae, P. S. (ed.) (2011). Global Re-introduction Perspectives: 2011. More case studies from around the globe. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group and Abu Dhabi, UAE: Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi. xiv + 250 pp. ISBN: 978-2-8317-1432-5 Cover photo: Clockwise starting from top-left: i. Mountain yellow-legged frog © Adam Backlin ii. American alligator © Ruth Elsey iii. Dwarf eelgrass © Laura Govers, RU Nijmegen iv. Mangrove finch © Michael Dvorak BirdLife Austria v. Berg-Breede whitefish © N. Dean Impson vi. Zanzibar red colobus monkey © Tom Butynski & Yvonne de Jong Cover design & layout by: Pritpal S. Soorae, IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group Produced by: IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group & Environment Agency-ABU DHABI Download at: www.iucnsscrsg.org iii Amphibians Re-introduction program for the common midwife toad and Iberian frog in the Natural Park of Peñalara in Madrid, Spain:
  • 3Systematics and Diversity of Extant Amphibians

    3Systematics and Diversity of Extant Amphibians

    Systematics and Diversity of 3 Extant Amphibians he three extant lissamphibian lineages (hereafter amples of classic systematics papers. We present widely referred to by the more common term amphibians) used common names of groups in addition to scientifi c Tare descendants of a common ancestor that lived names, noting also that herpetologists colloquially refer during (or soon after) the Late Carboniferous. Since the to most clades by their scientifi c name (e.g., ranids, am- three lineages diverged, each has evolved unique fea- bystomatids, typhlonectids). tures that defi ne the group; however, salamanders, frogs, A total of 7,303 species of amphibians are recognized and caecelians also share many traits that are evidence and new species—primarily tropical frogs and salaman- of their common ancestry. Two of the most defi nitive of ders—continue to be described. Frogs are far more di- these traits are: verse than salamanders and caecelians combined; more than 6,400 (~88%) of extant amphibian species are frogs, 1. Nearly all amphibians have complex life histories. almost 25% of which have been described in the past Most species undergo metamorphosis from an 15 years. Salamanders comprise more than 660 species, aquatic larva to a terrestrial adult, and even spe- and there are 200 species of caecilians. Amphibian diver- cies that lay terrestrial eggs require moist nest sity is not evenly distributed within families. For example, sites to prevent desiccation. Thus, regardless of more than 65% of extant salamanders are in the family the habitat of the adult, all species of amphibians Plethodontidae, and more than 50% of all frogs are in just are fundamentally tied to water.
  • First Characterization of Toxic Alkaloids and Volatile Organic Compounds

    First Characterization of Toxic Alkaloids and Volatile Organic Compounds

    Gonzalez et al. Frontiers in Zoology (2021) 18:39 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-021-00420-1 RESEARCH Open Access First characterization of toxic alkaloids and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the cryptic dendrobatid Silverstoneia punctiventris Mabel Gonzalez1* , Pablo Palacios-Rodriguez2 , Jack Hernandez-Restrepo2 , Marco González-Santoro2 , Adolfo Amézquita2, Andrés E. Brunetti3,4 and Chiara Carazzone1* Abstract Background: Poison frogs are known for the outstanding diversity of alkaloid-based chemical defences with promising therapeutic applications. However, current knowledge about chemical defences in Dendrobatoidea superfamily has two sources of bias. First, cryptic, brown-colored species have been neglected in comparison to those conspicuously colored, and second, there has been little interest in characterizing metabolites other than alkaloids mediating defensive functions. In an effort to contribute to fill the gap of knowledge about cryptic species and broadening the spectrum of compounds analyzed we have applied head-space solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) for extracting amphibian alkaloids and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from Silverstoneia punctiventris. Results: Using the skin from 8 specimens in 4 biological replicates we have found 33 different compounds. Twenty of them were classified as VOCs into 15 chemical classes including alkanes, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, methylpyridines, benzothiazoles, N-alkylpyrrolidines, pyrazines, and sesquiterpenoids, some of which were previously reported as repellents, defence compounds or defence pheromones in other organisms, and as sex pheromones in a treefrog. Interestingly, six of the remaining compounds were identified as alkaloids previously reported in other toxic/unpalatable dendrobatid frogs. Conclusions: This is the first report of alkaloids and VOCs found in the Silverstoneia genus, which has been assumed for decades as non-chemically defended.
  • BOA5.1-2 Frog Biology, Taxonomy and Biodiversity

    BOA5.1-2 Frog Biology, Taxonomy and Biodiversity

    The Biology of Amphibians Agnes Scott College Mark Mandica Executive Director The Amphibian Foundation [email protected] 678 379 TOAD (8623) Phyllomedusidae: Agalychnis annae 5.1-2: Frog Biology, Taxonomy & Biodiversity Part 2, Neobatrachia Hylidae: Dendropsophus ebraccatus CLassification of Order: Anura † Triadobatrachus Ascaphidae Leiopelmatidae Bombinatoridae Alytidae (Discoglossidae) Pipidae Rhynophrynidae Scaphiopopidae Pelodytidae Megophryidae Pelobatidae Heleophrynidae Nasikabatrachidae Sooglossidae Calyptocephalellidae Myobatrachidae Alsodidae Batrachylidae Bufonidae Ceratophryidae Cycloramphidae Hemiphractidae Hylodidae Leptodactylidae Odontophrynidae Rhinodermatidae Telmatobiidae Allophrynidae Centrolenidae Hylidae Dendrobatidae Brachycephalidae Ceuthomantidae Craugastoridae Eleutherodactylidae Strabomantidae Arthroleptidae Hyperoliidae Breviceptidae Hemisotidae Microhylidae Ceratobatrachidae Conrauidae Micrixalidae Nyctibatrachidae Petropedetidae Phrynobatrachidae Ptychadenidae Ranidae Ranixalidae Dicroglossidae Pyxicephalidae Rhacophoridae Mantellidae A B † 3 † † † Actinopterygian Coelacanth, Tetrapodomorpha †Amniota *Gerobatrachus (Ray-fin Fishes) Lungfish (stem-tetrapods) (Reptiles, Mammals)Lepospondyls † (’frogomander’) Eocaecilia GymnophionaKaraurus Caudata Triadobatrachus 2 Anura Sub Orders Super Families (including Apoda Urodela Prosalirus †) 1 Archaeobatrachia A Hyloidea 2 Mesobatrachia B Ranoidea 1 Anura Salientia 3 Neobatrachia Batrachia Lissamphibia *Gerobatrachus may be the sister taxon Salientia Temnospondyls
  • Edna Increases the Detectability of Ranavirus Infection in an Alpine Amphibian Population

    Edna Increases the Detectability of Ranavirus Infection in an Alpine Amphibian Population

    viruses Technical Note eDNA Increases the Detectability of Ranavirus Infection in an Alpine Amphibian Population Claude Miaud 1,* ,Véronique Arnal 1, Marie Poulain 1, Alice Valentini 2 and Tony Dejean 2 1 CEFE, EPHE-PSL, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, IRD, Biogeography and Vertebrate Ecology, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France; [email protected] (V.A.); [email protected] (M.P.) 2 SPYGEN, 17 Rue du Lac Saint-André, 73370 Le Bourget-du-Lac, France; [email protected] (A.V.); [email protected] (T.D.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +33-(0)4-67-61-33-43 Received: 15 March 2019; Accepted: 4 June 2019; Published: 6 June 2019 Abstract: The early detection and identification of pathogenic microorganisms is essential in order to deploy appropriate mitigation measures. Viruses in the Iridoviridae family, such as those in the Ranavirus genus, can infect amphibian species without resulting in mortality or clinical signs, and they can also infect other hosts than amphibian species. Diagnostic techniques allowing the detection of the pathogen outside the period of host die-off would thus be of particular use. In this study, we tested a method using environmental DNA (eDNA) on a population of common frogs (Rana temporaria) known to be affected by a Ranavirus in the southern Alps in France. In six sampling sessions between June and September (the species’ activity period), we collected tissue samples from dead and live frogs (adults and tadpoles), as well as insects (aquatic and terrestrial), sediment, and water. At the beginning of the breeding season in June, one adult was found dead; at the end of July, a mass mortality of tadpoles was observed.
  • Infectious Disease Threats to Amphibian Conservation

    Infectious Disease Threats to Amphibian Conservation

    The Glasgow Naturalist (2018) Volume 27, Supplement. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Scotland Infectious disease threats to amphibian conservation A.A. Cunningham Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT Amphibian Populations Task Force (DAPTF) to The unexplained decline of amphibian populations investigate if the reported declines of amphibians across the world was first recognised in the late 20th was a true phenomenon and, if so, what was, or were, century. When investigated, most of these the cause(s) of it. The DAPTF brought together “enigmatic” declines have been shown to be due to experts from across the world and from across one of two types of infectious disease: ranavirosis disciplines to promote research into amphibian caused by infection with FV3-like ranavirus or with declines and to collate and evaluate evidence that common midwife toad virus, or chytridiomycosis showed amphibians were undergoing caused by infection with Batrachochytrium unprecedented declines around the world including dendrobatidis or B. salamandrivorans. In all cases in protected areas and in pristine habitats. Indeed, it examined, infection has been via the human- is now known that 41% of known amphibian species mediated introduction of the pathogen to a species are threatened with extinction, which is a much or population in which it has not naturally co- higher percentage than for mammals (25%) and evolved. While ranaviruses and B. salamandrivorans over three times the percentage for birds (13%) have caused regionally localised amphibian (IUCN, 2018). Perhaps just as worrying is that over population declines in Europe, the chytrid fungus, B.
  • Standard Guidelines for the Captive Keeping of Anurans

    Standard Guidelines for the Captive Keeping of Anurans

    Standard Guidelines for the Captive Keeping of Anurans Developed by the Workgroup Anurans of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde (DGHT) e. V. Informations about the booklet The amphibian table benefi ted from the participation of the following specialists: Dr. Beat Akeret: Zoologist, Ecologist and Scientist in Nature Conserva- tion; President of the DGHT Regional Group Switzerland and the DGHT City Group Zurich Dr. Samuel Furrer: Zoologist; Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles of the Zurich Zoological Gardens (until 2017) Prof. Dr. Stefan Lötters: Zoologist; Docent at the University of Trier for Herpeto- logy, specialising in amphibians; Member of the Board of the DGHT Workgroup Anurans Dr. Peter Janzen: Zoologist, specialising in amphibians; Chairman and Coordinator of the Conservation Breeding Project “Amphibian Ark” Detlef Papenfuß, Ulrich Schmidt, Ralf Schmitt, Stefan Ziesmann, Frank Malz- korn: Members of the Board of the DGHT Workgroup Anurans Dr. Axel Kwet: Zoologist, amphibian specialist; Management and Editorial Board of the DGHT Bianca Opitz: Layout and Typesetting Thomas Ulber: Translation, Herprint International A wide range of other specialists provided important additional information and details that have been Oophaga pumilio incorporated in the amphibian table. Poison Dart Frog page 2 Foreword Dear Reader, keeping anurans in an expertly manner means taking an interest in one of the most fascinating groups of animals that, at the same time, is a symbol of the current threats to global biodiversity and an indicator of progressing climate change. The contribution that private terrarium keeping is able to make to researching the biology of anurans is evident from the countless publications that have been the result of individuals dedicating themselves to this most attractive sector of herpetology.