Presence and significance of chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and other amphibian pathogens at warm-water fish hatcheries in southeastern North America

Abstract/Summary

We conducted health screenings for infectious diseases of amphibians at four warm-water fish hatcheries and one National Wildlife Refuge in the southeastern United States. We confirmed the presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (amphibian chytrid fungus) in Rana catesbeiana (American Bullfrog) from one hatchery, as well as potentially new species of microsporidian and myxozoan parasites infecting all 10 amphibian species sampled. Viruses were not found in tissue cultures or histologically. Tens of thousands of individual amphibians may breed in outdoor warm water fish-rearing ponds. Although there have been no reports of disease outbreaks at the sampling sites, the potential transmission of infectious diseases between amphibians and fishes could have serious consequences for amphibian populations at recipient sites.

Publication details