Wirth, Wytamma, Schwarzkopf, Lin, Schaffer, Jason, and Ariel, Ellen (2024) No Ranaviral DNA Found in Australian Freshwater Turtles, 2014–19, Despite Previous Serologic Evidence. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 60 (3). pp. 683-690.

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Abstract

Ranaviruses are pathogens of ectothermic vertebrates (fish, amphibians, and reptiles). Turtles are the most common group of reptiles reported with ranaviral infections. However, there have been no surveys for wild ranaviral infection in any turtles from the suborder Pleurodira, despite ranaviral distributions and experimentally susceptible pleurodiran turtle populations overlapping in several areas, including Australia. We assayed 397 pooled blood samples from six Australian freshwater turtle species collected from five different sites in northern Australia between 2014 and 2019. Historical serologic surveys in the area had found antiranaviral antibodies; however, we did not detect any ranaviral DNA in our samples. Discrepancies between historical serologic and our molecular results may be explained by low viral prevalence during the years that these samples were collected, survivorship bias, or possibly an age class bias in sampling.

Item ID:	83287
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1943-3700
Keywords:	Australia, epidemiology, freshwater turtles, ranavirus, survey
Copyright Information:	© Wildlife Disease Association 2024
Date Deposited:	31 Jul 2024 00:50
FoR Codes:	31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3109 Zoology > 310904 Animal diet and nutrition @ 50% 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410407 Wildlife and habitat management @ 50%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1803 Fresh, ground and surface water systems and management > 180303 Fresh, ground and surface water biodiversity @ 100%
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