Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/26871
Title: | Island provides a pathogen refuge within climatically suitable area | Contributor(s): | Stockwell, Michelle P (author); Bower, Deborah S (author); Bainbridge, Loren (author); Clulow, John (author); Mahony, Michael J (author) | Publication Date: | 2015-09 | Early Online Version: | 2015-06-26 | DOI: | 10.1007/s10531-015-0946-0 | Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/26871 | Abstract: | Surveillance of pathogens can lead to significant advances towards making effective decisions in research and management for species threatened by disease. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been a major contributing factor to the global decline of amphibians. Knowledge of the distribution of B. dendrobatidis can contribute to understanding patterns of species decline and prioritizing action. Therefore, we surveyed four spatially distinct populations of a B. dendrobatidis susceptible species, the green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea), for evidence of infection in the population. Three mainland populations were infected at a prevalence of 3.5-28.3%, with median infection loads of 0.28-627.18 genomic equivalents (GE). Conversely, we did not detect infection in an island population 3 km from the mainland; the isolation and infrequent visitation of the island suggests that the pathogen has not arrived. Management actions for B. dendrobatidis and conservation of susceptible frog species are heavily dependent on the presence and absence of the pathogen in the population. Prevention of the accidental introduction of B. dendrobatidis and safe guarding genetic diversity of L. aurea is necessary to preserve unique diversity of the island population, whereas containment and control of the pathogen can be directed towards mainland populations. Knowledge of disease dynamics also provides a context to understand the ecology of remaining populations as variation in the physiology or habitat of the mainland populations have facilitated persistence of these populations alongside B. dendrobatidis. Other islands should be a priority target in disease surveillance, to discover refuges that can assist conservation. | Publication Type: | Journal Article | Grant Details: | ARC/LP0989459 | Source of Publication: | Biodiversity and Conservation, 24(10), p. 2583-2592 | Publisher: | Springer Netherlands | Place of Publication: | Netherlands | ISSN: | 1572-9710 0960-3115 |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: | 050202 Conservation and Biodiversity 050103 Invasive Species Ecology |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: | 410401 Conservation and biodiversity 410202 Biosecurity science and invasive species ecology |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: | 960807 Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity | Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: | 180303 Fresh, ground and surface water biodiversity | Peer Reviewed: | Yes | HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
---|---|
Appears in Collections: | Journal Article School of Environmental and Rural Science |
Files in This Item:
File | Size | Format |
---|
SCOPUSTM
Citations
17
checked on Mar 16, 2024
Page view(s)
902
checked on Mar 8, 2023
Download(s)
4
checked on Mar 8, 2023
Items in Research UNE are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.