RACE: Risk Assessment of Chytridiomycosis to European amphibian biodiversity
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: School of Public Health
Abstract
Detailed in VR main application
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Matthew Fisher (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Woodhams DC
(2011)
Mitigating amphibian disease: strategies to maintain wild populations and control chytridiomycosis.
in Frontiers in zoology
Wombwell EL
(2016)
Detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Amphibians Imported into the UK for the Pet Trade.
in EcoHealth
Walker SF
(2010)
Factors driving pathogenicity vs. prevalence of amphibian panzootic chytridiomycosis in Iberia.
in Ecology letters
Tobler U
(2010)
Within- and among-population variation in chytridiomycosis-induced mortality in the toad Alytes obstetricans.
in PloS one
SolĂs R
(2009)
Presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in feral populations of Xenopus laevis in Chile
in Biological Invasions
Schmidt BR
(2010)
Estimating the impact of disease in species threatened by amphibian chytrid fungus: comment on Murray et al.
in Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology
Schmidt B
(2011)
Elevated temperature clears chytrid fungus infections from tadpoles of the midwife toad, Alytes obstetricans
in Amphibia-Reptilia
Schmeller DS
(2014)
Microscopic aquatic predators strongly affect infection dynamics of a globally emerged pathogen.
in Current biology : CB
Rosenblum EB
(2010)
A molecular perspective: biology of the emerging pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.
in Diseases of aquatic organisms
Rosa G
(2012)
Evidence of chytrid-mediated population declines in common midwife toad in S erra da E strela, P ortugal
in Animal Conservation
Description | RACE has undertaken an assessment of the disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), in Europe's amphibians. The project has mapped the current distribution of Bd (www.bd-maps.eu) and shown that the pathogen's distribution is widespread across Europe and infecting multiple amphibian species. Risk assessment identified the most at-risk amphibian taxa, geographic regions, realised/potential vectors, and pathways of disease introduction into Europe. The project has identified a complex epidemiology with host, pathogen and environmental factors all playing a role in determining whether populations persist, or decline, when infected. Key findings show that multiple Bd lineages occur in Europe that vary in their virulence. However, the viability of an amphibian community following introduction of infection depends on a suite of environmental and host - dependent variables that include abiotic (altitude, temperature) and biotic (host and microbial community composition) factors. By manipulating these factors, progress has been made in lessening the burden of disease in infected populations suggesting that stabilising infected amphibian populations, and in some cases complete clearance of infection, is possible. The finding that novel Bd lineages occur in trade-associated animals as well as widely infecting introduced non-native species raises the likelihood that the international trade plays a role in vectoring Bd. The recent emergence of a new species of chytrid, B. salamandrivorans, that is highly pathogenic to European fire salamanders is likely to be caused by ongoing introductions of amphibian-infecting chytrids into Europe. There is a clear need to continue ongoing surveillance and assessments of the health of Europe's amphibians, as well as to tighten biosecurity in traded species. However, our results clearly show that disease introductions have occurred, and will occur again. The progress that we have made in understanding what facilitates serious disease versus endemic infection provides routes to applied strategies for mitigating disease. Further work needs to be undertaken to put these principles into practice in order to conserve Europe's amphibian biodiversity. However, the threat that amphibian-infecting chytrids pose to Europes amphibians is increasing and urgent action at the national and international level is needed if further losses of biodiversity are to be avoided. |
Exploitation Route | Control of trade in infected wildlife; European Parliament and UK Government |
Sectors | Environment |
URL | http://www.biodiversa.org/552 |
Description | Our findings have been used to develop a policy brief to the EU Parliament http://www.biodiversa.org/552 |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | Conference talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk given at the British Society for Parasitology Conference in London |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://bsp.uk.net/2016/05/02/blog-bsp-2016-spring-meeting/ |
Description | Presentation at ZSL scientific event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presentation regarding the potential impact of invasive species on emergence of threatening amphibian infectious diseases, delivered as part of the ZSL Scientific Event launching the 2016 Living Planet Report |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://www.zsl.org/science/whats-on/the-living-planet-report-2016-threats-pressures-and-addressing-... |
Description | WILDLIFE DISEASES ON THE INCREASE: A MAJOR THREAT FOR EUROPE'S BIODIVERSITY |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | IUCN policy brief to the European Parliament Change to incoming EU 'Animal Health' Law |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.biodiversa.org/552 |
Description | Washington Post article |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Washington Post article featuring front-page Science article 'Exotic pet trade linked to invasive fungus that's killing frogs globally' |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2018/05/10/exotic-pet-trade-linked-to-inv... |