Rapid assessment indicates context-dependent mitigation for amphibian disease risk

Abstract/Summary

Batrachochytrium salamandrovorans (Bsal) is a fungal pathogen that can cause the emerging infectious disease Bsal chytridiomycosis in some amphibians, and is currently causing dramatic declines in European urodeles. To date, Bsal has not been detected in North America but has the potential to cause severe declines in naïve hosts if introduced. Therefore, it is critical that wildlife managers are prepared with effective management actions to combat the fungus. Research has been initiated to identify strategies; however, managers need guidance to prepare for an outbreak until results are available. Here, we conducted a workshop with participants of a Bsal symposium to describe the expected effect of eleven management actions that could be implemented for Bsal in three salamander communities in the northwestern, northeastern, and southeastern United States. Participants expected variation in the proposed management actions to decrease pathogen transmission and increase host survival, but also expected that the selection of a management action may depend on the specific membership of the amphibian community. Collectively, this assessment will help refine research and modeling priorities in an effort to mitigate the risk of Bsal to native U.S. amphibians.

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