Welcome to the interactive web schedule for the 2017 SEAFWA Conference! For tips on how to navigate this site, visit the "Helpful Info" section. To return to the SEAFWA website, go to: www.seafwa.org/conference/overview
Note: Session titles beginning with an asterisk (*) have student presenters.
AUTHORS: Matthew J. Gray, J. Patrick W. Cusaac, E. Davis Carter, Jennifer A. Spatz – Center for Wildlife Health, University of Tennessee; Douglas C. Woodhams, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts-Boston; Louise Rollins-Smith, Laura Reinert – Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Lori A. Williams, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Agency; Bill Reeves, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; Priya Nanjappa, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; Debra L. Miller, Center for Wildlife Health and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee
ABSTRACT: Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is an emerging fungal pathogen that has been associated with declines of salamanders in Europe. The pathogen is unknown to occur in North America, but could enter through commercial trade or on fomites from recreationists. In a proactive attempt to understand the threat of Bsal to amphibian biodiversity in the USA, we tested the susceptibility of 20 endemic amphibian species using a dose-dependent design, where exposure to infectious zoospores occurred in water for 24 hours at four zoospore concentrations (5 x 10^3-6). Presence of Bsal DNA on the skin of amphibians was tested every six days and survival monitored for six weeks. All species (including 4 frog species) tested positive for Bsal DNA >1 week post-exposure to zoospores, suggesting that the amphibian host range of this pathogen is broad. Three newt (Notophthalmus) and one brook salamander (Eurycea) species developed Bsal chytridiomycosis as confirmed by histopathology. In eastern North America, newts are found in nearly every lentic aquatic ecosystem, and Eurycea are found in many lotic and cave systems. Thus, if Bsal is introduced, there is high probability that the pathogen will be amplified and maintained by species with varying levels of tolerance to infection. This combination of abundant reservoir and amplification species for the pathogen provides the perfect epidemiological storm for Bsal emergence in the USA and concomitant biodiversity loss. State fish and wildlife agencies should consider Bsal a high risk to amphibian biodiversity, implement surveillance for it, and begin planning preemptive disease management strategies.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 4:20pm - 4:40pm EDT
Carroll Ford