Dermatomycosis Caused by Paranannizziopsis australasiensis in Nonnative Panther Chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) Captured in Central Florida, USA

Abstract

Emergent fungal pathogens in herpetofauna are a concern in both wild and captive populations. We diagnosed dermatomycosis by Paranannizziopsis australasiensis in two panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) and suspected it in eight others captured from an established free-living nonnative population in Florida, USA. Chameleons developed skin lesions following recent exposure to cold weather conditions while housed in captivity, approximately 10 mo after capture and 12 wk after being placed in outdoor enclosures. Affected animals were treated with oral voriconazole and terbinafine until most cases resolved; however, medications were ultimately discontinued. Paranannizziopsis australasiensis has not previously been described in chameleons, nor in animals originating from a free-ranging population in the USA. Although the source of P. australasiensis infection is uncertain, we discuss several scenarios related to the pet trade and unique situation of chameleon “ranching” present in the USA.

Paranannizziopsis spp. infections in wild snakes and a qPCR assay for detection of the fungus

“…Paranannizziopsis spp. have been repeatedly associated with morbidity and mortality in captive reptiles on multiple continents ( Sigler et al, 2013 ; Stchigel et al, 2013 ; Rainwater et al, 2019 ; Díaz-Delgado et al, 2020 ; Mack et al, 2021 ) as well as in a population of wild non-native panther chameleons in the USA ( Claunch et al, 2023 ). The cases described herein represent the first confirmed instances (to our knowledge) of Paranannizziopsis spp.…”

“…However, we do not always observe arthroconidia in ophidiomycosis cases. Furthermore, arthroconidia were reported in histologic sections of snakes infected with P. australasiensis and P. crustacea ( Mack et al, 2021 ; Claunch et al, 2023 ), and P. tardicrescens produces arthroconidia in culture ( Rainwater et al, 2019 ). In most cases of Paranannizziopsis spp.…”

“…Nannizziopsis barbatae has been reported in wild lizards in Australia, but it is unclear whether the fungus is native to that continent ( Peterson et al, 2020 ). Paranannizziopsis australasiensis was recently reported as a cause of dermatomycosis in an introduced population of wild panther chameleons ( Furcifer pardalis ) in Florida ( Claunch et al, 2023 ). However, we are unaware of any additional verified reports of Paranannizziopsi s spp.…”

Commonly collected thermal performance data can inform species distributions in a data-limited invader

“…Conflicts with residents at the site of the established population prevented collection of more individuals 24 . Nine of the chameleons were housed by the authors prior to accessioning at USDA; the tenth was accessioned directly from the wild population to the exclosure in October 2020 (detailed in 55 ). Animals were housed individually in screen enclosures with natural vegetation and exposure to natural sunlight and weather patterns in the greater exclosure (see Supplementary Fig.…”

Paranannizziopsis spp. Infection in Wild Vipers, Europe

“…In wild populations, Paranannizziopsis spp. fungi have only been detected in nonnative free-living panther chameleons ( Furcifer pardalis ) from central Florida, USA ( 9 ), and in wild snakes in the United States and Canada ( 4 ). The geographic extent in wild host populations and severity of infection associated with Paranannizziopsis spp.…”