Chytridiomycosis in frogs of Mount Gede Pangrango, Indonesia

Kusrini, Kusrini; Skerratt, Lee F.; Garland, SM; Berger, Lee; Endarwin, Wempy

doi:10.3354/dao01981

Cited by 53 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Chytridiomycosis in Asia was first found in Japan in captive amphibians (Une et al 2008) and subsequently in freeranging Rana catesbiana (ProMED 2007). The other positive report is of chytridiomycosis in free-ranging amphibians in Indonesia on the island of Java (Kusrini et al 2008). The geographic separation of these positive records may be more an artifact of search effort than a true absence in Asia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

First detection of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in free-ranging populations of amphibians on mainland Asia: survey in South Korea

Yang

Baek²,

Speare

et al. 2009

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Chytridiomycosis, a disease that has caused amphibian population declines globally and elevated many species of anurans to endangered or threatened status, has recently been declared an internationally notifiable disease. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the amphibian chytrid fungus causing this disease, has not been previously reported in Korea or on mainland Asia. Thirty-six frog specimens representing 7 species were collected from the wild in South Korea and examined for Bd using standard PCR. Bd was detected in 14 (38.8%) samples from 3 species (Bufo gargarizans, Hyla japonica, and Rana catesbiana). Skin sections from all 14 PCR-positive frogs were examined using 2 staining techniques: haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Bd immunoperoxidase (IPX). In histological sections, zoosporangia were found in 6 frogs, with lower sensitivity for H&E (21%) than for IPX (46%). Intensity of infection, based on histopathology, was low in all frogs. These results confirm that Bd is present in South Korea and, hence, on the Asian mainland. Studies are urgently required to determine the impact of chytridiomycosis on Korean amphibians, and to map the distribution of Bd in Korea and other Asian mainland countries. KEY WORDS: Chytridiomycosis · Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis · Amphibian decline · Korea · Fungus Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherDis Aquat Org 86: [9][10][11][12][13] 2009 nerable (Matsui 2004), and Hynobius yangi is classified as endangered (Stuart 2008) MATERIALS AND METHODSFrogs were collected opportunistically from the northern part of South Korea between June 11 and December 13, 2007 (see Table 1). During nocturnal and occasional diurnal surveys, frogs were captured individually by hand, with a new pair of disposable latex gloves being used for each frog in order to avoid cross-contamination between individuals . The animals were sacrificed by soaking them in a bath of 0.05% aqueous tricaine methane sulfonate (MS-222). We aseptically cut small pieces of skin from the abdomen, inguinal region, and web between toes; we then divided this into 2, and placed 1 in 10% formalin for histological analysis and the other in a 1.5 ml microtube for DNA extraction. Instruments were flamed after dissection of each specimen to prevent cross-contamination. DNA was immediately extracted with Gene Releaser (Bio Ventures). The PCR assay used species-specific primers (Bd1a and Bd2a) located within internal transcribed spacer ITS1 and ITS2 to amplify the 5.8S region of nuclear rDNA (Annis et al. 2004). The PCR products were examined using 1.0% agarose gel and some of the positive bands were cut and sequenced to confirm the Bd sequence. Each sample was tested in triplicate, and was only recorded as positive if all 3 replicates indicated the presence of Bd. For PCR positive amphibians, histological sections of formalin fixed skin were stained using 2 techniques: haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Bd immunoperoxidase (IPX), the latter technique using polyclonal antibodies speci...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

First detection of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in free-ranging populations of amphibians on mainland Asia: survey in South Korea

Yang

Baek²,

Speare

et al. 2009

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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“…The first case of B. dendrobatidis in Asia was reported in Japan among 45 exotic frogs of 18 species kept for breeding by a private owner (Une et al 2008). At the same time, B. dendrobatidis was detected in 4 samples from Rhacophorus javanus, Rana chalconota, Leptobrachium hasseltii, and Limnonectes microdiscus in Indonesia (Kusrini et al 2008). It is believed that B. dendrobatidis has not yet invaded in China (Xie et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Early-spring survey for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in wild Rana dybowskii in Heilongjiang Province, China

Wei¹,

Xu²,

Zhu³

et al. 2010

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been investigated worldwide because of its importance in population declines in multiple species of amphibians; however, little is known regarding the disease status of all native amphibian species in China. The present study is the first survey of chytridiomycosis in free-ranging amphibian populations in China, and it examined the possible presence of B. dendrobatidis in Rana dybowskii in northeastern China (Heilongjiang Province). R. dybowskii is mainly distributed in the northeast part of China and is intensively hunted for human consumption, making populations vulnerable to extirpation in the event of additional stresses from disease epidemics. The survey was performed in early spring of 2008, using a PCR assay, histological examination of skin samples, and zoospore culture. In total, 191 frogs were examined; thus, a 95% confidence limit for prevalence of 1.57% was selected. Our results demonstrate that R. dybowskii is currently free from chytridiomycosis in Heilongjiang, even though the natural conditions of the sampling sites are suitable for the occurrence of B. dendrobatidis. Central and local governments should implement strict management measures to prevent the escape of non-native commercial amphibian species into this area, which might endanger local populations of native species.

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“…On a global level, these include Madagascar, Borneo and New Guinea [85]. Concerningly for the latter two, the fungus has recently been isolated from Indonesia [86]. For Tasmanian DFTD, two possible ways of isolating uninfected free-ranging populations are introducing devils to offshore islands currently unoccupied by devils and fencing off peninsulas in western Tasmania, which the disease has yet to reach [87].…”

Section: (A) Isolating Infected Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disease and the dynamics of extinction

McCallum

2012

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

132

122

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Invading infectious diseases can, in theory, lead to the extinction of host populations, particularly if reservoir species are present or if disease transmission is frequency-dependent. The number of historic or prehistoric extinctions that can unequivocally be attributed to infectious disease is relatively small, but gathering firm evidence in retrospect is extremely difficult. Amphibian chytridiomycosis and Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) are two very different infectious diseases that are currently threatening to cause extinctions in Australia. These provide an unusual opportunity to investigate the processes of disease-induced extinction and possible management strategies. Both diseases are apparently recent in origin. Tasmanian DFTD is entirely host-specific but potentially able to cause extinction because transmission depends weakly, if at all, on host density. Amphibian chytridiomycosis has a broad host range but is highly pathogenic only to some populations of some species. At present, both diseases can only be managed by attempting to isolate individuals or populations from disease. Management options to accelerate the process of evolution of host resistance or tolerance are being investigated in both cases. Anthropogenic changes including movement of diseases and hosts, habitat destruction and fragmentation and climate change are likely to increase emerging disease threats to biodiversity and it is critical to further develop strategies to manage these threats.

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Chytridiomycosis in frogs of Mount Gede Pangrango, Indonesia

Cited by 53 publications

References 32 publications

First detection of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in free-ranging populations of amphibians on mainland Asia: survey in South Korea

First detection of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in free-ranging populations of amphibians on mainland Asia: survey in South Korea

Early-spring survey for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in wild Rana dybowskii in Heilongjiang Province, China

Disease and the dynamics of extinction

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