Journal article
Distribution and risk factors for spread of amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the Tasmanian wilderness world heritage area, Australia
MD Pauza, MM Driessen, LF Skerratt
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms | INTER-RESEARCH | Published : 2010
DOI: 10.3354/dao02212
Abstract
Chytridiomycosis is an emerging infectious disease caused by the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and is the cause of the decline and extinction of amphibian species throughout the world. We surveyed the distribution of Bd within and around the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA), a 1.38 million ha area of significant fauna conservation value, which provides the majority of habitat for Tasmania's 3 endemic frog species (Litoria burrowsae, Bryobatrachus nimbus and Crinia tasmaniensis). Bd was detected at only 1 (3%) of the 33 sites surveyed within the TWWHA and at 15 (52%) of the 29 sites surveyed surrounding the TWWHA. The relatively low incidence of the disease with..
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Awarded by Department of Environment and Heritage
Funding Acknowledgements
The study was funded by Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Fauna Program, Department of Primary Industries Parks, Water and Environment and Department of Environment and Heritage Funding Tender RFT 42/2004 on the epidemiology of chytridiomycosis to James Cook University. We thank H. Ricardo, B. Priest, S. Locke, D. Obendorf and J. Nelson for their advice and assistance in the field, R. Campbell and S. Cameron for conducting chytrid PCR tests, R. Brereton and Hydro Tasmania for helicopter support and access to remote areas of south-west Tasmania, Forestry Tasmania for access to State Forest lands, and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service for accommodation throughout the state. We also thank G. MacPherson for statistical advice on logistic regression. All work was undertaken under animal ethics approval (AEC 32/2006/07) and collection permits issued under the Nature Conservation Act 2002, National Parks and Reserved Land Management Act 2002 and Crown Lands Act 1976.