title: Interventions for reducing extinction risk in chytridiomycosis-threatened amphibians.
abstract: Wildlife diseases pose an increasing threat to biodiversity and are a major management challenge. A striking example of this threat is the emergence of chytridiomycosis. Despite diagnosis of chytridiomycosis as an important driver of global amphibian declines 15 years ago, researchers have yet to devise effective large-scale management responses other than biosecurity measures to mitigate disease spread and the establishment of disease-free captive assurance colonies prior to or during disease outbreaks. We examined the development of management actions that can be implemented after an epidemic in surviving populations. We developed a conceptual framework with clear interventions to guide experimental management and applied research so that further extinctions of amphibian species threatened by chytridiomycosis might be prevented. Within our framework, there are 2 management approaches: reducing Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (the fungus that causes chytridiomycosis) in the environment or on amphibians and increasing the capacity of populations to persist despite increased mortality from disease. The latter approach emphasizes that mitigation does not necessarily need to focus on reducing disease-associated mortality. We propose promising management actions that can be implemented and tested based on current knowledge and that include habitat manipulation, antifungal treatments, animal translocation, bioaugmentation, head starting, and selection for resistance. Case studies where these strategies are being implemented will demonstrate their potential to save critically endangered species.
authors: ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, National Environmental Research Program Environmental Decisions Hub, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Forestry Building [48], Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia; NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620, Australia. ben.scheele@anu.edu.au.
authors: Ben C
authors: BC
authors: Scheele
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Hunter
authors: Laura F
authors: LF
authors: Grogan
authors: Lee
authors: L
authors: Berger
authors: Jon E
authors: JE
authors: Kolby
authors: Michael S
authors: MS
authors: McFadden
authors: Gerry
authors: G
authors: Marantelli
authors: Lee F
authors: LF
authors: Skerratt
authors: Don A
authors: DA
authors: Driscoll
mesh_terms: D000663:Amphibians; D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D008411:Chytridiomycota / Q000502:physiology*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D056727:Endangered Species; D053476:Extinction, Biological; D009181:Mycoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D018570:Risk Assessment
keywords: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Declinación de anfibios; amphibian decline; chytrid; disease management; emerging infectious disease; enfermedad infecciosa emergente; frog; manejo de enfermedades; manejo de vida silvestre; quitridio; rana; wildlife management