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Island of opportunity: can New Guinea protect amphibians from a globally emerging pathogen?
Author(s) -
Bower Deborah S,
Lips Karen R,
Amepou Yolarnie,
Richards Stephen,
Dahl Chris,
Nagombi Elizah,
Supuma Miriam,
Dabek Lisa,
Alford Ross A,
Schwarzkopf Lin,
Ziembicki Mark,
Noro Jeffrey N,
Hamidy Amir,
Gillespie Graeme R,
Berger Lee,
Eisemberg Carla,
Li Yiming,
Liu Xuan,
Jennings Charlotte K,
Tjaturadi Burhan,
Peters Andrew,
Krockenberger Andrew K,
Nason Dillian,
Kusrini Mirza D,
Webb Rebecca J,
Skerratt Lee F,
Banks Chris,
Mack Andrew L,
Georges Arthur,
Clulow Simon
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1002/fee.2057
Subject(s) - chytridiomycosis , amphibian , new guinea , fungus , biology , ecology , fungal pathogen , pathogen , zoology , microbiology and biotechnology , ethnology , botany , history
The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (chytrid) has caused the most widespread, disease‐induced declines and extinctions in vertebrates recorded to date. The largest climatically suitable landmass that may still be free of this fungus is New Guinea. The island is home to a sizeable proportion of the world's known frog species (an estimated 6%), as well as many additional, yet‐to‐be‐described species. Two decades of research on the chytrid fungus have provided a foundation for improved management of amphibian populations. We call for urgent, unified, international, multidisciplinary action to prepare for the arrival of B dendrobatidis in New Guinea, to prevent or slow its spread within the island after it arrives, and to limit its impact upon the island's frog populations. The apparent absence of the fungus in New Guinea offers an opportunity to build capacity in advance for science, disease surveillance, and diagnosis that will have broad relevance both for non‐human animal health and for public health.