Eastern water dragons (Physignathus lesueurii) are not important alternate hosts of the frog chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Phillott, Andrea D., Garland, Stephen, and Skerratt, Lee F. (2009) Eastern water dragons (Physignathus lesueurii) are not important alternate hosts of the frog chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 4 (3). pp. 379-383.

[img] PDF (Published Version)
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_4/Issue...
 
2
4


Abstract

The chytridiomycete fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, causative pathogen of the disease amphibian chytridiomycosis, sometimes occurs on environmental substrates and can grow in vitro on reptile skin. This suggests that susceptible reptiles associated with water bodies may act as both reservoirs of infection and vectors for spread of the disease. We sampled the semi-aquatic Eastern Water Dragon, Physignathus lesueurii, associated with streams and known infected frog populations for B. dendrobatidis. None of the 15 juvenile dragons returned positive results for the pathogen by qPCR assay. This suggests P. lesueurii are not important alternate hosts for B. dendrobatidis and do not act as important reservoirs or vectors of B. dendrobatidis.

Item ID: 7972
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1931-7603
Keywords: alternate host; amphibians; Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; chytridiomycosis; Physignathus lesueurii; reptiles; water dragons
Related URLs:
Date Deposited: 21 Jan 2010 01:52
FoR Codes: 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050211 Wildlife and Habitat Management @ 50%
05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0501 Ecological Applications > 050102 Ecosystem Function @ 50%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960807 Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 4
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page