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Detection of pathogenic Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis using water filtration, animal and bait testing
Author(s) -
Wimsatt Jeffrey,
Feldman Sanford H.,
Heffron Meghan,
Hammond Meagan,
Ruehling Margaret P. Roth,
Grayson Kristine L.,
Mitchell Joseph C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.21154
Subject(s) - biology , chytridiomycosis , chytridiomycota , amphibian , endangered species , zoology , veterinary medicine , psittaciformes , waterfowl , outbreak , ecology , habitat , virology , medicine , ascomycota , biochemistry , gene
The pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) can be challenging to detect at endangered amphibian reintroduction sites. Pre‐release Bd detection can be confounded by imperfect animal sampling and the absence of animals. In Study 1, we used historical Bd‐positive sites, to concurrently evaluate water filtrates and mouth bar (tadpoles) or skin swab (caudates) samples for Bd using molecular beacon realtime PCR. In Study 2, during a natural outbreak, we used PCR to detect Bd from zoospore‐attracting keratin baits (three avian, three snake species). In Study 1, no captured animals ( n = 116) exhibited clinical signs, although 10.6% were positive, representing three of seven species sampled. In contrast, 5.4% of water filters ( n = 56) were Bd‐positive. In Study 2, after short incubation times, a single duck down feather tested Bd‐positive. In conclusion, Bd was detected in asymptomatic amphibians and water filtrate at two sites, and from water only, at two other sites. With continued refinement, semi‐quantitative Bd water filtrate screening could better define zoospore‐specific disease risk, allowing better characterization of the free‐living phase of the organism's life cycle. Finally, these results suggest wild aquatic birds (e.g., waterfowl) should be systematically explored as a means of Bd spread. Since large numbers of aquatic birds migrate, even low Bd transfer rates could be a significant means for disease dissemination. Zoo Biol. 33:577–585, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals Inc.