The pandemic pathogen of amphibians,<i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i>(Phylum Chytridiomycota), in Italy

Tessa, Giulia; Angelini, Claudio; Bielby, Jon; Bovero, Stefano; Giacoma, Cristina; Sotgiu, Giuseppe; Garner, Trenton W. J.

doi:10.1080/11250003.2012.753473

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Population declines caused by habitat loss and other threats may result in continuing genetic erosion, with potential ecological implications (Hughes, Inouye, Johnson, Underwood, & Vellend, ). This is of particular relevance to the higher risk in the north of infection with the chytrid B. dendrobatidis (Bielby et al., ; Longcore, Pessier, & Nichols, ; Tessa et al., ). A screening program across Sardinia from 2006 to 2010 showed the prevalence of chytrid infection to be concentrated in populations from the Limbara mountain range in the north of the island (Bielby et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, Euproctus habitat continues to be threatened by recurrent severe drought causing summer desiccation of ponds (Pinna, Fonnesu, Sangiorgio, & Basset, ). In addition, chytrid infection ( Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ) has been documented in E. platycephalus (Bielby et al., ; Bovero et al., ; Tessa et al., ), an indication of the additional ongoing threat of disease.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Islands within an island: Population genetic structure of the endemic Sardinian newt,Euproctus platycephalus

Ball

Bovero²,

Sotgiu³

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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The identification of historic and contemporary barriers to dispersal is central to the conservation of endangered amphibians, but may be hindered by their complex life history and elusive nature. The complementary information generated by mitochondrial (mtDNA) and microsatellite markers generates a valuable tool in elucidating population structure and the impact of habitat fragmentation. We applied this approach to the study of an endangered montane newt, Euproctus platycephalus. Endemic to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, it is threatened by anthropogenic activity, disease, and climate change. We have demonstrated a clear hierarchy of structure across genetically divergent and spatially distinct subpopulations. Divergence between three main mountain regions dominated genetic partitioning with both markers. Mitochondrial phylogeography revealed a deep division dating to ca. 1 million years ago (Mya), isolating the northern region, and further differentiation between the central and southern regions ca. 0.5 Mya, suggesting an association with Pleistocene severe glacial oscillations. Our findings are consistent with a model of southward range expansion during glacial periods, with postglacial range retraction to montane habitat and subsequent genetic isolation. Microsatellite markers revealed further strong population structure, demonstrating significant divergence within the central region, and partial differentiation within the south. The northern population showed reduced genetic diversity. Discordance between mitochondrial and microsatellite markers at this scale indicated a further complexity of population structure, in keeping with male‐biased dispersal and female philopatry. Our study underscores the need to elucidate cryptic population structure in the ecology and conservation strategies for endangered island‐restricted amphibians, especially in the context of disease and climate change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Islands within an island: Population genetic structure of the endemic Sardinian newt,Euproctus platycephalus

Ball

Bovero²,

Sotgiu³

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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“…For these areas, we suggest the development of an intensive molecular screening plan in order to track any possible change in Bd presence, population prevalence and individual load of resident amphibians. Furthermore, three out of four of these areas are in geographic and ecological connectivity (Pollino, Sila and Aspromonte National Parks), as resulted from our model, while the fourth area (Maddalena national Park) is in ecological connection with populations interested by a Bd induced mass-mortality that occurred in Sardinia (Bielby et al 2013;Tessa et al 2013). Indeed, according to the Italian national biodiversity strategy, national parks should become "focal points for research and monitoring networks … in terms of biodiversity" (MATTM 2010, page 31).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…In fact, due to its central geographic position within the Mediterranean, complex geological history, contrasted geomorphology, variable climates and the long-lasting coevolution between rural landscapes and wildlife (Cevasco et al 2015), Italy hosts a highly diverse and unique amphibian fauna, comprising about half of all amphibian species described in Europe (Table 1; Temple and Cox 2009;Rondinini et al 2013). Various local studies have been published on Bd occurrence in Italy (see Table 1), but up to now only one mass-mortality event has been observed in Sardinia (Bielby et al 2013;Tessa et al 2013). In this island the pandemic lineage GPL has been recorded (Fisher and Garner 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Modelling the amphibian chytrid fungus spread by connectivity analysis: towards a national monitoring network in Italy

et al. 2021

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The emerging amphibian disease, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is driving population declines worldwide and even species extinctions in Australia, South and Central America. In order to mitigate effects of Bd on amphibian populations, high-exposed areas should be identified at the local scale and effective conservation measures should be planned at the national level. This assessment is actually lacking in the Mediterranean basin, and in particular in Italy, one of the most relevant amphibian diversity hotspots in the entire region. In this study, we reviewed the available information on Bd in Italy, and conducted a 5-year molecular screening on 1274 individual skin swabs belonging to 18 species. Overall, we found presence of Bd in 13 species and in a total of 56 known occurrence locations for peninsular Italy and Sardinia. We used these occurrence locations and climate data to model habitat suitability of Bd for current and future climatic scenarios. We then employed electric circuit theory to model landscape permeability to the diffusion of Bd, using a resistance map. With this procedure, we were able to model, for the first time, the diffusion pathways of Bd at the landscape scale, characterising the main future pathways towards areas with a high probability of Bd occurrence. Thus, we identified six national protected areas that will become pivotal for a nationally-based strategic plan in order to monitor, mitigate and possibly contrast Bd diffusion in Italy.

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Marine Ecosystem Responses to Cenozoic Global Change

Norris

Turner

Hull

et al. 2013

Science

155

130

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The future impacts of anthropogenic global change on marine ecosystems are highly uncertain, but insights can be gained from past intervals of high atmospheric carbon dioxide partial pressure. The long-term geological record reveals an early Cenozoic warm climate that supported smaller polar ecosystems, few coral-algal reefs, expanded shallow-water platforms, longer food chains with less energy for top predators, and a less oxygenated ocean than today. The closest analogs for our likely future are climate transients, 10,000 to 200,000 years in duration, that occurred during the long early Cenozoic interval of elevated warmth. Although the future ocean will begin to resemble the past greenhouse world, it will retain elements of the present "icehouse" world long into the future. Changing temperatures and ocean acidification, together with rising sea level and shifts in ocean productivity, will keep marine ecosystems in a state of continuous change for 100,000 years.

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The pandemic pathogen of amphibians,Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Phylum Chytridiomycota), in Italy

Cited by 5 publications

References 58 publications

Islands within an island: Population genetic structure of the endemic Sardinian newt,Euproctus platycephalus

Islands within an island: Population genetic structure of the endemic Sardinian newt,Euproctus platycephalus

Modelling the amphibian chytrid fungus spread by connectivity analysis: towards a national monitoring network in Italy

Marine Ecosystem Responses to Cenozoic Global Change

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