First Reported Detection of the Amphibian Pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Ranavirus in the Common Mudpuppy (Necturus m. maculosus)

摘要

Assessments of the taxonomic and geographic distribution of amphibian pathogens provide the basic information required for comparisons among species with different life histories. Skerratt et al. (2008) suggested that surveillance efforts focus on ecological groups that are most likely to be exposed to pathogens. Permanently aquatic salamanders (i.e., obligate paedomorphs) are potentially exposed to Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Ranavirus throughout their lifetime in freshwater environments where these pathogens or infected individuals are present. However, few detailed studies have been conducted on salamanders with fully aquatic life histories compared to those with complex life cycles or direct development. With the exception of the Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidanus) and Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis), permanently aquatic salamanders have not been examined for Ranavirus infection (Duffus et al. 2015). In North America, Bd has been reported within representatives of the salamander genera Amphiuma, Cryptobranchus, Necturus, Pseudobranchus, and Siren. Among the mudpuppies and waterdogs (Necturus spp.), Bd has been reported in the Gulf Coast Waterdog complex (Necturus cf. beyeri) (Chatfield et al. 2012). Bd was not detected in Common Mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus) in Canada but was reported from one individual collected in the north-central United States (Ouellet et al. 2005; Global Bd Mapping Project: www.Bd-maps.net). Necturus maculosus is a relatively abundant salamander that occupies diverse freshwater habitats and is widely distributed from southern central Canada south to most of the middle and eastern United States. In this study, we assessed the distribution and regional prevalence of Bd and Ranavirus for N. maculosus in western Pennsylvania, USA streams.