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Herrera C, Pinto MA, Leza M, Alemany I, Jurado‐Rivera JA. Niche modelling and landscape genetics of the yellow-legged hornet ( Vespa velutina): An integrative approach for evaluating central-marginal population dynamics in Europe. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70029. [PMID: 39050656 PMCID: PMC11267635 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity is an important biological trait for a successful invasion. During the expansion across a new territory, an invasive species may face unprecedented ecological conditions that will determine its demography and genetic diversity. The first record of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) in Europe dates back to 2004 in France, from where it has successfully spread through a large territory in the continent, including Italy, Spain and Portugal. Integrative approaches offer a powerful strategy to detect and understand patterns of genetic variation in central and marginal populations. Here, we have analysed the relationship between genetic diversity parameters inferred from 15 V. velutina nuclear DNA microsatellite loci, and geographical and environmental drivers, such as the distance to the introduction focus, environmental suitability and distance to native and invasive niche centroids. Our results revealed a central-marginal dynamic, where allelic richness decreased towards the edge of the expansion range. The low environmental suitability of the territories invaded by marginal populations could prevent a diverse population from establishing and reducing the genetic diversity in populations at the expansion edge. Moreover, Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis showed both geographical and environmental distances were influencing population genetic differentiation. This study highlights the importance of combining genetic analysis with geographical and environmental drivers to understand genetic trends of invasive species to new environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cayetano Herrera
- Department of Biology (Zoology)University of the Balearic IslandsPalmaBalearic IslandsSpain
| | - M. Alice Pinto
- Centro de Investigação de MontanhaInstituto Politécnico de BragançaBragançaPortugal
- Laboratório Associado Para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia Em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC)Instituto Politécnico de BragançaBragançaPortugal
| | - Mar Leza
- Department of Biology (Zoology)University of the Balearic IslandsPalmaBalearic IslandsSpain
| | - Iris Alemany
- Department of Biology (Genetics)University of the Balearic IslandsPalmaBalearic IslandsSpain
| | - José A. Jurado‐Rivera
- Department of Biology (Genetics)University of the Balearic IslandsPalmaBalearic IslandsSpain
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Jin L, Jiang Y, Han L, Luan X, Liu X, Liao W. Big-brained alien birds tend to occur climatic niche shifts through enhanced behavioral innovation. Integr Zool 2024. [PMID: 38872346 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Identifying climatic niche shift and its influencing factors is of great significance in predicting the risk of alien species invasions accurately. Previous studies have attempted to identify the factors related to the niche shift of alien species in their invaded ranges, including changes in introduction history, selection of exact climate predictors, and anthropogenic factors. However, the effect of species-level traits on niche shift remains largely unexplored, especially those reflecting the species' adaptation ability to new environments. Based on the occurrence data of 117 successful alien bird invaders at a global scale, their native and invaded climatic niches were compared, and the potential influencing factors were identified. Our results show the niche overlap was low, with more than 75% of the non-native birds representing climatic niche shift (i.e. >10% niche expansion). In addition, 85% of the species showed a large proportion (mean ± SD, 39% ± 21%) of niche unfilling. Relative brain size (RBS) after accounting for body size had no direct effect on niche shift, but path analysis showed that RBS had an indirect effect on niche shift by acting on behavioral innovation primarily on technical innovation rather than consumer innovation. These findings suggested the incorporation of species' important behavioral adaptation traits may be promising to develop future prediction frameworks of biological invasion risk in response to the continued global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Jin
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Propagation and Utilization in Anurans of Nanchong City, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Propagation and Utilization in Anurans of Nanchong City, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Lixia Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Luan
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenbo Liao
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Propagation and Utilization in Anurans of Nanchong City, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
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Dong H, Liu J, Zhao L, Liu C. Applying an ensemble of small models in predicting habitat suitability of invasive M. sallei along the southern coast of China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115777. [PMID: 37976587 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
A false mussel Mytilopsis sallei has caused serious ecological and economic losses after invading in China. In this research, we first assessed the niche differentiation between its native range and invasive range in China and then predicted the habitat suitability along the southern coast of China under present and future climatic circumstances. Distance to shore and water depth were the first two important factors in affecting the distribution of M. sallei, followed by minimum chlorophyll concentration and salinity. The niche of M. sallei shows significant expansion and unfilling. The ensemble of small models can account for few occurrences and presents high predictive performance. A general reduction and northward movement of suitable areas were found in the southern coast of China in the future. This study furnished significant insights regarding the areas under invasive risks, and provided valuable information for preventing the further invasion of M. sallei in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Dong
- Department of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Planning and Sea Island Department, Shandong Marine Forecast and Hazard Mitigation Service, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Linlin Zhao
- First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
| | - Changdong Liu
- Department of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
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Sun D, Ellepola G, Herath J, Meegaskumbura M. Ecological Barriers for an Amphibian Pathogen: A Narrow Ecological Niche for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in an Asian Chytrid Hotspot. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:911. [PMID: 37755019 PMCID: PMC10532633 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The chytrid fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) and B. dendrobatidis (Bd) are driving amphibian extinctions and population declines worldwide. As their origins are believed to be in East/Southeast Asia, this region is crucial for understanding their ecology. However, Bsal screening is relatively limited in this region, particularly in hotspots where Bd lineage diversity is high. To address this gap, we conducted an extensive Bsal screening involving 1101 individuals from 36 amphibian species, spanning 17 natural locations and four captive facilities in the biodiversity-rich Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GAR). Our PCR assays yielded unexpected results, revealing the complete absence of Bsal in all tested samples including 51 individuals with Bd presence. To understand the potential distribution of Bsal, we created niche models, utilizing existing occurrence records from both Asia and Europe. These models estimated potential suitable habitats for Bsal largely in the northern and southwestern parts of the GAR. Although Bsal was absent in our samples, the niche models identified 10 study sites as being potentially suitable for this pathogen. Interestingly, out of these 10 sites, Bd was detected at 8. This suggests that Bsal and Bd could possibly co-exist in these habitats, if Bsal were present. Several factors seem to influence the distribution of Bsal in Asia, including variations in temperature, local caudate species diversity, elevation, and human population density. However, it is climate-related factors that hold the greatest significance, accounting for a notable 60% contribution. The models propose that the specific climatic conditions of arid regions, primarily seen in the GAR, play a major role in the distribution of Bsal. Considering the increased pathogenicity of Bsal at stable and cooler temperatures (10-15 °C), species-dependent variations, and the potential for seasonal Bd-Bsal interactions, we emphasize the importance of periodic monitoring for Bsal within its projected range in the GAR. Our study provides deeper insights into Bsal's ecological niche and the knowledge generated will facilitate conservation efforts in amphibian populations devastated by chytrid pathogens across other regions of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Sun
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530000, China; (D.S.)
| | - Gajaba Ellepola
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530000, China; (D.S.)
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Kandy 20400, Sri Lanka
| | - Jayampathi Herath
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530000, China; (D.S.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), No. 704 Negombo Road, Welisara 71722, Sri Lanka
| | - Madhava Meegaskumbura
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530000, China; (D.S.)
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Sun D, Ellepola G, Herath J, Meegaskumbura M. The two chytrid pathogens of amphibians in Eurasia-climatic niches and future expansion. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:26. [PMID: 37370002 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02132-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate affects the thermal adaptation and distribution of hosts, and drives the spread of Chytridiomycosis-a keratin-associated infectious disease of amphibians caused by the sister pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidi (Bd) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal). We focus on their climate-pathogen relationships in Eurasia, the only region where their geographical distributions overlap. Eurasia harbours invaded and native areas of both pathogens and the natural habitats where they co-exist, making it an ideal region to examine their environmental niche correlations. Our understanding of how climate change will affect their distribution is broadened by the differences in climate correlates and niche characteristics between Bd and Bsal in Asia and Europe. This knowledge has potential conservation implications, informing future spread of the disease in different regions. RESULTS We quantified the environmental niche overlap between Bd and Bsal in Eurasia using niche analyses. Results revealed partial overlap in the niche with a unique 4% of non-overlapping values for Bsal, suggesting segregation along certain climate axes. Bd tolerates higher temperature fluctuations, while Bsal requires more stable, lower temperature and wetter conditions. Projections of their Realized Climatic Niches (RCNs) to future conditions show a larger expansion of suitable ranges (SRs) for Bd compared to Bsal in both Asia and Europe, with their centroids shifting in different directions. Notably, both pathogens' highly suitable areas in Asia are expected to shrink significantly, especially under the extreme climate scenarios. In Europe, they are expected to expand significantly. CONCLUSIONS Climate change will impact or increase disease risk to amphibian hosts, particularly in Europe. Given the shared niche space of the two pathogens across available climate gradients, as has already been witnessed in Eurasia with an increased range expansion and niche overlap due to climate change, we expect that regions where Bsal is currently absent but salamanders are present, and where Bd is already prevalent, may be conducive for the spread of Bsal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Sun
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530000, People's Republic of China
| | - Gajaba Ellepola
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530000, People's Republic of China
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Kandy, 20400, Sri Lanka
| | - Jayampathi Herath
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530000, People's Republic of China
| | - Madhava Meegaskumbura
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530000, People's Republic of China.
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Gray MJ, Carter ED, Piovia-Scott J, Cusaac JPW, Peterson AC, Whetstone RD, Hertz A, Muniz-Torres AY, Bletz MC, Woodhams DC, Romansic JM, Sutton WB, Sheley W, Pessier A, McCusker CD, Wilber MQ, Miller DL. Broad host susceptibility of North American amphibian species to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans suggests high invasion potential and biodiversity risk. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3270. [PMID: 37277333 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38979-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is a fungal pathogen of amphibians that is emerging in Europe and could be introduced to North America through international trade or other pathways. To evaluate the risk of Bsal invasion to amphibian biodiversity, we performed dose-response experiments on 35 North American species from 10 families, including larvae from five species. We discovered that Bsal caused infection in 74% and mortality in 35% of species tested. Both salamanders and frogs became infected and developed Bsal chytridiomycosis. Based on our host susceptibility results, environmental suitability conditions for Bsal, and geographic ranges of salamanders in the United States, predicted biodiversity loss is expected to be greatest in the Appalachian Region and along the West Coast. Indices of infection and disease susceptibility suggest that North American amphibian species span a spectrum of vulnerability to Bsal chytridiomycosis and most amphibian communities will include an assemblage of resistant, carrier, and amplification species. Predicted salamander losses could exceed 80 species in the United States and 140 species in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Gray
- Center for Wildlife Health, School of Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
| | - Edward Davis Carter
- Center for Wildlife Health, School of Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Jonah Piovia-Scott
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA, USA
| | - J Patrick W Cusaac
- Center for Wildlife Health, School of Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Anna C Peterson
- Center for Wildlife Health, School of Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Ross D Whetstone
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andreas Hertz
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Molly C Bletz
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas C Woodhams
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancón, Panama
| | - John M Romansic
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA, USA
| | - William B Sutton
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Wesley Sheley
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Allan Pessier
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | | | - Mark Q Wilber
- Center for Wildlife Health, School of Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Debra L Miller
- Center for Wildlife Health, School of Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
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Schilliger L, Paillusseau C, François C, Bonwitt J. Major Emerging Fungal Diseases of Reptiles and Amphibians. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030429. [PMID: 36986351 PMCID: PMC10053826 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are caused by pathogens that have undergone recent changes in terms of geographic spread, increasing incidence, or expanding host range. In this narrative review, we describe three important fungal EIDs with keratin trophism that are relevant to reptile and amphibian conservation and veterinary practice. Nannizziopsis spp. have been mainly described in saurians; infection results in thickened, discolored skin crusting, with eventual progression to deep tissues. Previously only reported in captive populations, it was first described in wild animals in Australia in 2020. Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (formely O. ophiodiicola) is only known to infect snakes; clinical signs include ulcerating lesions in the cranial, ventral, and pericloacal regions. It has been associated with mortality events in wild populations in North America. Batrachochytrium spp. cause ulceration, hyperkeratosis, and erythema in amphibians. They are a major cause of catastrophic amphibian declines worldwide. In general, infection and clinical course are determined by host-related characteristics (e.g., nutritional, metabolic, and immune status), pathogens (e.g., virulence and environmental survival), and environment (e.g., temperature, hygrometry, and water quality). The animal trade is thought to be an important cause of worldwide spread, with global modifications in temperature, hygrometry, and water quality further affecting fungal pathogenicity and host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Schilliger
- Argos Veterinary Clinic of Paris Auteuil, 35 Rue Leconte de Lisle, 75016 Paris, France
- SpéNac Referral Center, 100 Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg, 75007 Paris, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-188-616-831
| | - Clément Paillusseau
- Argos Veterinary Clinic of Paris Auteuil, 35 Rue Leconte de Lisle, 75016 Paris, France
- SpéNac Referral Center, 100 Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg, 75007 Paris, France
| | - Camille François
- Argos Veterinary Clinic of Paris Auteuil, 35 Rue Leconte de Lisle, 75016 Paris, France
- SpéNac Referral Center, 100 Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg, 75007 Paris, France
| | - Jesse Bonwitt
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, South Rd., Durham DH1 3LE, UK
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Petrosyan V, Osipov F, Feniova I, Dergunova N, Warshavsky A, Khlyap L, Dzialowski A. The TOP-100 most dangerous invasive alien species in Northern Eurasia: invasion trends and species distribution modelling. NEOBIOTA 2023. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.82.96282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Northern Eurasia is extensive and includes terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that cover several natural zones and access to the seas of three oceans. As a result, it has been invaded by numerous invasive alien species (IAS) over large temporal and spatial scales. The purpose of this research was to assess invasion trends and construct species distribution models for the Russian TOP-100 most dangerous IAS. Environmentally suitable regions for IAS were established based on alien species attribute databases, datasets of 169,709 species occurrence records (SOR) and raster layers of environmental variables using species distribution modelling (MaxEnt). The objectives of this research were to (1) create databases of SOR for the TOP-100 IAS in Russia; 2) determine pathways, residence time, donor regions and trends of invasions; (3) determine the main types of spatial distributions of invasive species and their relation to residence time; and (4) distinguish regions with the highest richness of IAS that have a strong impact on the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of Russia. We found that although species invasions date back over 400 years, the number of naturalized IAS has increased non-linearly over the past 76 years. The TOP-100 list is mainly represented by unintentionally introduced species (62%) which are characterized by different introduction pathways. Species occurrence records revealed that 56 IAS are distributed locally, 26 are distributed regionally and 18 are widespread in Russia. Species with local, regional or widespread distributions were characterized by residence times of 55, 126 or 190 years, respectively. We found that IAS with local distribution can expand their range into suitable regions more extensively (expected increase by 32%) than widespread species (expected increase by only 7%). The procedure of identifying hot/cold spots locations based on SOR allowed us to identify the Russian regions with the highest richness of IAS. Our results and the integrated database that we created provide a framework for studying IAS over large temporal and spatial scales that can be used in the development of management plans for dangerous IAS.
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Castro Monzon F, Rödel MO, Ruland F, Parra-Olea G, Jeschke JM. Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans' Amphibian Host Species and Invasion Range. ECOHEALTH 2022; 19:475-486. [PMID: 36611108 PMCID: PMC9898388 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-022-01620-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), a species related to the destructive pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), was found and identified in Europe in 2013. Now, a decade later, a large amount of information is available. This includes data from studies in the field, reports of infection in captive amphibians, laboratory studies testing host susceptibility, and data from prospective studies that test for Bsal's presence in a location. We conducted a systematic review of the published literature and compiled a dataset of Bsal tests. We identified 67 species that have been reported positive for Bsal, 20 of which have a threatened conservation status. The distribution of species that have been found with infection encompasses 69 countries, highlighting the potential threat that Bsal poses. We point out where surveillance to detect Bsal have taken place and highlight areas that have not been well monitored. The large number of host species belonging to the families Plethodontidae and Salamandridae suggests a taxonomic pattern of susceptibility. Our results provide insight into the risk posed by Bsal and identifies vulnerable species and areas where surveillance is needed to fill existing knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Castro Monzon
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Altensteinstr. 34, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, AP 70-153, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Altensteinstr. 34, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Museum für Naturkunde-Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Ruland
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Altensteinstr. 34, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriela Parra-Olea
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, AP 70-153, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jonathan M Jeschke
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Altensteinstr. 34, 14195, Berlin, Germany
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Nie P, Feng J. Global niche and range shifts of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a highly virulent amphibian-killing fungus. Fungal Biol 2022; 126:809-816. [PMID: 36517148 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is one of the world's most invasive species, and is responsible for chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease that has caused huge losses of global amphibian biodiversity. Few studies have investigated invasive Bd's niche and range relative to those of native Bd. In the present study, we applied niche and range dynamic models to investigate global niche and range dynamics between native and invasive Bd. Invasive Bd occupied wider and different niche positions than did native Bd. Additionally, invasive Bd was observed in hotter, colder, wetter, drier, and more labile climatic conditions. Contrast to most relevant studies presuming Bd's niche remaining stable, we found that invasive Bd rejected niche conservatism hypotheses, suggesting its high lability in niche, and huge invasion potential. Bd's niche non-conservatism may result in range lability, and small niche expansions could induce large increases in range. Niche shifts may therefore be a more sensitive indicator of invasion than are range shifts. Our findings indicate that Bd is a high-risk invasive fungus not only due to its high infection and mortality rates, but also due to its high niche and range lability, which enhance its ability to adapt to novel climatic conditions. Therefore, invasive Bd should be a high-priority focus species in strategizing against biological invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixiao Nie
- Department of Life Science and Agronomy, Dali University, Dali, 671003, China
| | - Jianmeng Feng
- Department of Life Science and Agronomy, Dali University, Dali, 671003, China.
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Schmeller DS, Cheng T, Shelton J, Lin CF, Chan-Alvarado A, Bernardo-Cravo A, Zoccarato L, Ding TS, Lin YP, Swei A, Fisher MC, Vredenburg VT, Loyau A. Environment is associated with chytrid infection and skin microbiome richness on an amphibian rich island (Taiwan). Sci Rep 2022; 12:16456. [PMID: 36180528 PMCID: PMC9525630 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20547-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that the origins of the panzootic amphibian pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) are in Asia. In Taiwan, an island hotspot of high amphibian diversity, no amphibian mass mortality events linked to Bd or Bsal have been reported. We conducted a multi-year study across this subtropical island, sampling 2517 individuals from 30 species at 34 field sites, between 2010 and 2017, and including 171 museum samples collected between 1981 and 2009. We analyzed the skin microbiome of 153 samples (6 species) from 2017 in order to assess any association between the amphibian skin microbiome and the probability of infection amongst different host species. We did not detect Bsal in our samples, but found widespread infection by Bd across central and northern Taiwan, both taxonomically and spatially. Museum samples show that Bd has been present in Taiwan since at least 1990. Host species, geography (elevation), climatic conditions and microbial richness were all associated with the prevalence of infection. Host life-history traits, skin microbiome composition and phylogeny were associated with lower prevalence of infection for high altitude species. Overall, we observed low prevalence and burden of infection in host populations, suggesting that Bd is enzootic in Taiwan where it causes subclinical infections. While amphibian species in Taiwan are currently threatened by habitat loss, our study indicates that Bd is in an endemic equilibrium with the populations and species we investigated. However, ongoing surveillance of the infection is warranted, as changing environmental conditions may disturb the currently stable equilibrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk S Schmeller
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Tina Cheng
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
- Bat Conservation International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jennifer Shelton
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Chun-Fu Lin
- Zoology Division, Endemic Species Research Institute, Jiji, Nantou, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Alan Chan-Alvarado
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
| | - Adriana Bernardo-Cravo
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Luca Zoccarato
- Department of Experimental Limnology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Alte Fischerhütte 2, 16775, Stechlin, Germany
| | - Tzung-Su Ding
- School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, 106, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Pin Lin
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Andrea Swei
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
| | - Matthew C Fisher
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Vance T Vredenburg
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Adeline Loyau
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France.
- Department of Experimental Limnology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Alte Fischerhütte 2, 16775, Stechlin, Germany.
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12
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Yang R, Cao R, Gong X, Feng J. Cultivation has selected for a wider niche and large range shifts in maize. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14019. [PMID: 36168438 PMCID: PMC9509669 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple crop cultivated on a global scale. However, its ability to feed the rapidly growing human population may be impaired by climate change, especially if it has low climatic niche and range lability. One important question requiring clarification is therefore whether maize shows high niche and range lability. Methods We used the COUE scheme (a unified terminology representing niche centroid shift, overlap, unfilling and expansion) and species distribution models to study the niche and range changes between maize and its wild progenitors using occurrence records of maize, lowland teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis) and highland teosinte (Zea mays ssp. mexicana), respectively, as well as explore the mechanisms underlying the niche and range changes. Results In contrast to maize in Mexico, maize did not conserve its niche inherited from lowland and highland teosinte at the global scale. The niche breadth of maize at the global scale was wider than that of its wild progenitors (ca. 5.21 and 3.53 times wider compared with lowland and highland teosinte, respectively). Compared with its wild progenitors, maize at global scale can survive in regions with colder, wetter climatic conditions, as well as with wider ranges of climatic variables (ca. 4.51 and 2.40 times wider compared with lowland and highland teosinte, respectively). The niche changes of maize were largely driven by human introduction and cultivation, which have exposed maize to climatic conditions different from those experienced by its wild progenitors. Small changes in niche breadth had large effects on the magnitude of range shifts; changes in niche breadth thus merit increased attention. Discussion Our results demonstrate that maize shows wide climatic niche and range lability, and this substantially expanded its realized niche and potential range. Our findings also suggest that niche and range shifts probably triggered by natural and artificial selection in cultivation may enable maize to become a global staple crop to feed the growing population and adapting to changing climatic conditions. Future analyses are needed to determine the limits of the novel conditions that maize can tolerate, especially relative to projected climate change.
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13
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Moubarak M, Fischhoff IR, Han BA, Castellanos AA. A spatially explicit risk assessment of salamander populations to
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans
in the United States. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Barbara A. Han
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Millbrook New York USA
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14
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Cao R, Gong X, Feng J, Yang R. Niche and range dynamics of Tasmanian blue gum ( Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), a globally cultivated invasive tree. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9305. [PMID: 36177110 PMCID: PMC9482005 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The ecological niche concept has provided insights into various areas in ecology and biogeography. Although there remains much controversy regarding whether species niches are conserved across space and time, many recent studies have suggested that invasive species conserve their climatic niche between native and introduced ranges; however, whether the climatic niche of cultivated invasive species, whose niches are strongly affected by human activities, are conserved between native and introduced ranges remains unclear. Additionally, the range dynamics of invasive species in their native and introduced regions have not been extensively studied. Here, we investigated the niche and range dynamics of Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), a globally cultivated invasive tree, using ecological niche models and niche dynamic analyses. The most important factors affecting the niche changes between native and introduced Tasmanian blue gum were max temperature of the warmest month and precipitation of the wettest month. The climate niche was not conserved between introduced and native range Tasmanian blue gum; moreover, the niche area of the former was ca. 7.4 times larger than that of the latter, as introduced Tasmanian blue gum could survive in hotter, colder, wetter, and drier climates. In addition, the potential range of introduced Tasmanian blue gum was ca. 32 times larger than that of its native counterpart. Human introduction and cultivation may play a key role in the niche and range expansion of introduced Tasmanian blue gum. Given that small increases in niche area can result in large range expansions, the niche expansion of an invasive species could be used to evaluate invasion risk, which might even be more sensitive than range expansions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runyao Cao
- Department of Life Science and AgronomyDali UniversityDaliChina
| | - Xiang Gong
- Department of Life Science and AgronomyDali UniversityDaliChina
| | - Jianmeng Feng
- Department of Life Science and AgronomyDali UniversityDaliChina
| | - Rujing Yang
- Department of Life Science and AgronomyDali UniversityDaliChina
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15
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Crawshaw L, Buchanan T, Shirose L, Palahnuk A, Cai HY, Bennett AM, Jardine CM, Davy CM. Widespread occurrence of
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
in Ontario, Canada, and predicted habitat suitability for the emerging
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8798. [PMID: 35475183 PMCID: PMC9020443 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, is associated with massive amphibian mortality events worldwide and with some species’ extinctions. Previous ecological niche models suggest that B. dendrobatidis is not well‐suited to northern, temperate climates, but these predictions have often relied on datasets in which northern latitudes are underrepresented. Recent northern detections of B. dendrobatidis suggest that these models may have underestimated the suitability of higher latitudes for this fungus. We used qPCR to test for B. dendrobatidis in 1,041 non‐invasive epithelial swab samples from 18 species of amphibians collected across 735,345 km2 in Ontario and Akimiski Island (Nunavut), Canada. We detected the pathogen in 113 samples (10.9%) from 11 species. Only one specimen exhibited potential clinical signs of disease. We used these data to produce six Species Distribution Models of B. dendrobatidis, which classified half of the study area as potential habitat for the fungus. We also tested each sample for B. salamandrivorans, an emerging pathogen that is causing alarming declines in European salamanders, but is not yet detected in North America. We did not detect B. salamandrivorans in any of the samples, providing a baseline for future surveillance. We assessed the potential risk of future introduction by comparing salamander richness to temperature‐dependent mortality, predicted by a previous exposure study. Areas with the highest species diversity and predicted mortality risk extended 60,530 km2 across southern Ontario, highlighting the potential threat B. salamandrivorans poses to northern Nearctic amphibians. Preventing initial introduction will require coordinated, transboundary regulation of trade in amphibians (including frogs that can carry and disperse B. salamandrivorans), and surveillance of the pathways of introduction (e.g., water and wildlife). Our results can inform surveillance for both pathogens and efforts to mitigate the spread of chytridiomycosis through wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Crawshaw
- Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | - Tore Buchanan
- Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | - Leonard Shirose
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Department of Pathobiology University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
- Department of Pathobiology University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
| | - Amanda Palahnuk
- Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | - Hugh Y. Cai
- Animal Health Laboratory University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
| | | | - Claire M. Jardine
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Department of Pathobiology University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
- Department of Pathobiology University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
| | - Christina M. Davy
- Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
- Department of Biology Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
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16
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Haver M, Le Roux G, Friesen J, Loyau A, Vredenburg VT, Schmeller DS. The role of abiotic variables in an emerging global amphibian fungal disease in mountains. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 815:152735. [PMID: 34974000 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of the chytridiomycete fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), causing the disease chytridiomycosis, has caused collapse of amphibian communities in numerous mountain systems. The health of amphibians and of mountain freshwater habitats they inhabit is also threatened by ongoing changes in environmental and anthropogenic factors such as climate, hydrology, and pollution. Climate change is causing more extreme climatic events, shifts in ice occurrence, and changes in the timing of snowmelt and pollutant deposition cycles. All of these factors impact both pathogen and host, and disease dynamics. Here we review abiotic variables, known to control Bd occurrence and chytridiomycosis severity, and discuss how climate change may modify them. We propose two main categories of abiotic variables that may alter Bd distribution, persistence, and physiology: 1) climate and hydrology (temperature, precipitation, hydrology, ultraviolet radiation (UVR); and, 2) water chemistry (pH, salinity, pollution). For both categories, we identify topics for further research. More studies on the relationship between global change, pollution and pathogens in complex landscapes, such as mountains, are needed to allow for accurate risk assessments for freshwater ecosystems and resulting impacts on wildlife and human health. Our review emphasizes the importance of using data of higher spatiotemporal resolution and uniform abiotic metrics in order to better compare study outcomes. Fine-scale temperature variability, especially of water temperature, variability of moisture conditions and water levels, snow, ice and runoff dynamics should be assessed as abiotic variables shaping the mountain habitat of pathogen and host. A better understanding of hydroclimate and water chemistry variables, as co-factors in disease, will increase our understanding of chytridiomycosis dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilen Haver
- Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France.
| | - Gaël Le Roux
- Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Jan Friesen
- Environmental and Biotechnology Centre, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Adeline Loyau
- Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France; Department of Experimental Limnology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Alte Fischerhütte 2, Stechlin D-16775, Germany
| | - Vance T Vredenburg
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Dirk S Schmeller
- Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
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17
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García‐Rodríguez A, Basanta MD, García‐Castillo MG, Zumbado‐Ulate H, Neam K, Rovito S, Searle CL, Parra‐Olea G. Anticipating the potential impacts of
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans
on Neotropical salamander diversity. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrián García‐Rodríguez
- Departamento de Zoología Instituto de Biología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
- BioInvasions, Global Change, Macroecology‐Group Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - M. Delia Basanta
- Departamento de Zoología Instituto de Biología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Cuernavaca Morelos México
| | - Mirna G. García‐Castillo
- Universidad Politécnica de Huatusco Huatusco Veracruz México
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias Región: Orizaba–Córdoba Universidad Veracruzana Amatlán de los Reyes Veracruz México
| | | | - Kelsey Neam
- Global Wildlife Conservation Austin Texas USA
- Amphibian Specialist Group IUCN Species Survival Commission USA
| | - Sean Rovito
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (Langebio) CINVESTAV Irapuato México
| | - Catherine L. Searle
- Department of Biological Sciences Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana USA
| | - Gabriela Parra‐Olea
- Departamento de Zoología Instituto de Biología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
- Amphibian Specialist Group IUCN Species Survival Commission USA
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18
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Hernández‐Agüero JA, Ruiz‐Tapiador I, Cayuela L. What feeds on
Quercus ilex
L.? A biogeographical approach to studying trophic interactions in a Mediterranean keystone species. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luis Cayuela
- Departamento de Biología y Geología Física y Química Inorgánica Universidad Rey Juan Carlos Madrid Spain
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19
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Bosch J, Martel A, Sopniewski J, Thumsová B, Ayres C, Scheele BC, Velo-Antón G, Pasmans F. Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans Threat to the Iberian Urodele Hotspot. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7080644. [PMID: 34436183 PMCID: PMC8400424 DOI: 10.3390/jof7080644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent introduction of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans into northeastern Spain threatens salamander diversity on the Iberian Peninsula. We assessed the current epidemiological situation with extensive field sampling of urodele populations. We then sought to delineate priority regions and identify conservation units for the Iberian Peninsula by estimating the susceptibility of Iberian urodeles using laboratory experiments, evidence from mortality events in nature and captivity and inference from phylogeny. None of the 1395 field samples, collected between 2015 and 2021 were positive for Bsal and no Bsal-associated mortality events were recorded, in contrast to the confirmed occurrence of Bsal outbreak previously described in 2018. We classified five of eleven Iberian urodele species as highly susceptible, predicting elevated mortality and population declines following potential Bsal emergence in the wild, five species as intermediately susceptible with variable disease outcomes and one species as resistant to disease and mortality. We identified the six conservation units (i.e., species or lineages within species) at highest risk and propose priority areas for active disease surveillance and field biosecurity measures. The magnitude of the disease threat identified here emphasizes the need for region-tailored disease abatement plans that couple active disease surveillance to rapid and drastic actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Bosch
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB), University of Oviedo-Principality of Asturias-CSIC, 33600 Mieres, Spain;
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-6-777-724-02
| | - An Martel
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry Diseases, Ghent University, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (A.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Jarrod Sopniewski
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia; (J.S.); (B.C.S.)
| | - Barbora Thumsová
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB), University of Oviedo-Principality of Asturias-CSIC, 33600 Mieres, Spain;
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Asociación Herpetologica Española, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Cesar Ayres
- Asociación Herpetologica Española, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Ben C. Scheele
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia; (J.S.); (B.C.S.)
| | - Guillermo Velo-Antón
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal;
- Grupo GEA, Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry Diseases, Ghent University, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (A.M.); (F.P.)
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20
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Beukema W, Erens J, Schulz V, Stegen G, Spitzen-van der Sluijs A, Stark T, Laudelout A, Kinet T, Kirschey T, Poulain M, Miaud C, Steinfartz S, Martel A, Pasmans F. Landscape epidemiology of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans: reconciling data limitations and conservation urgency. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02342. [PMID: 33817953 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Starting in 2010, rapid fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) population declines in northwestern Europe heralded the emergence of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), a salamander-pathogenic chytrid fungus. Bsal poses an imminent threat to global salamander diversity owing to its wide host range, high pathogenicity, and long-term persistence in ecosystems. While there is a pressing need to develop further research and conservation actions, data limitations inherent to recent pathogen emergence obscure necessary insights into Bsal disease ecology. Here, we use a hierarchical modeling framework to describe Bsal landscape epidemiology of outbreak sites in light of these methodological challenges. Using model selection and machine learning, we find that Bsal presence is associated with humid and relatively cool, stable climates. Outbreaks are generally located in areas characterized by low landscape heterogeneity and low steepness of slope. We further find an association between Bsal presence and high trail density, suggesting that human-mediated spread may increase risk for spillover between populations. We then use distribution modeling to show that favorable conditions occur in lowlands influenced by the North Sea, where increased survey effort is needed to determine how Bsal impacts local newt populations, but also in hill- and mountain ranges in northeastern France and the lower half of Germany. Finally, connectivity analyses suggest that these hill- and mountain ranges may act as stepping stones for further spread southward. Our results provide initial insight into regional environmental conditions underlying Bsal epizootics, present updated invasibility predictions for northwestern Europe, and lead us to discuss a wide variety of potential survey and research actions needed to advance future conservation and mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Beukema
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box␣9517, Leiden, 2300RA, the Netherlands
| | - Jesse Erens
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box␣9517, Leiden, 2300RA, the Netherlands
| | - Vanessa Schulz
- Molecular Evolution and Systematics of Animals, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Talstrasse 33, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Division of Evolutionary Biology, Zoological Institute, Mendelssohnstrasse 4, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
| | - Gwij Stegen
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | | | - Tariq Stark
- Reptile, Amphibian & Fish Conservation Netherlands (RAVON), Toernooiveld 1, Nijmegen, 6525ED, the Netherlands
| | - Arnaud Laudelout
- Reptile, Amphibian & Fish Conservation Netherlands (RAVON), Toernooiveld 1, Nijmegen, 6525ED, the Netherlands
| | - Thierry Kinet
- Natagora, Traverse des Muses 1, Namur, 5000, Belgium
| | - Tom Kirschey
- Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), Charitéstrasse 3, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Marie Poulain
- Biogeography and Vertebrate Ecology, CEFE, EPHE-PSL, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Paul Valéry University Montpellier III, 1919 route de Mende, Montpellier, 34293, France
| | - Claude Miaud
- Biogeography and Vertebrate Ecology, CEFE, EPHE-PSL, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Paul Valéry University Montpellier III, 1919 route de Mende, Montpellier, 34293, France
| | - Sebastian Steinfartz
- Molecular Evolution and Systematics of Animals, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Talstrasse 33, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - An Martel
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
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21
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Lei Y, Liu Q. Tolerance niche expansion and potential distribution prediction during Asian openbill bird range expansion. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5562-5574. [PMID: 34026029 PMCID: PMC8131807 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
It is prevalent to use ecological niche models in the analysis of species expansion and niche changes. However, it is difficult to estimate the niche when alien species fail to establish in exotic areas. Here, we applied the tolerance niche concept, which means that niche of species can live and grow but preclude a species from establishing self-sustaining populations, in such fail-to-establish events. Taking the rapidly expanded bird, Asian openbill (Anastomus oscitans), as a model species, we investigated niche dynamics and its potential effects on the population by Niche A and ecospat, predicted potential distribution by biomod2. Results showed that niche expansion has occurred in two non-native populations caused by the tolerance of colder and wetter environments, and potential distribution mainly concentrated on equatorial islands. Our study suggested that the expanded niche belongs to tolerance niche concept according to the populations' dynamics and GPS tracking evidence. It is essential to consider source populations when we analyze the alien species. We recommended more consideration to the application of tolerance niche in alien species research, and there is still a need for standard measurement frameworks for analyzing the tolerance niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Lei
- College of WetlandsSouthwest Forestry UniversityKunmingChina
- National Plateau Wetlands Research CenterKunmingChina
| | - Qiang Liu
- College of WetlandsSouthwest Forestry UniversityKunmingChina
- National Plateau Wetlands Research CenterKunmingChina
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22
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Borzée A, Kielgast J, Wren S, Angulo A, Chen S, Magellan K, Messenger KR, Hansen-Hendrikx CM, Baker A, Santos MMD, Kusrini M, Jiang J, Maslova IV, Das I, Park D, Bickford D, Murphy RW, Che J, Van Do T, Nguyen TQ, Chuang MF, Bishop PJ. Using the 2020 global pandemic as a springboard to highlight the need for amphibian conservation in eastern Asia. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2021; 255:108973. [PMID: 35125500 PMCID: PMC8798316 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.108973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases are on the rise in many different taxa, including, among others, the amphibian batrachochytrids, the snake fungal disease and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, responsible for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in mammals. Following the onset of the pandemic linked to COVID-19, eastern Asia has shown strong leadership, taking actions to regulate the trade of potential vector species in several regions. These actions were taken in response to an increase in public awareness, and the need for a quick reaction to mitigate against further pandemics. However, trade restrictions rarely affect amphibians, despite the risk of pathogen transmission, directly, or indirectly through habitat destruction and the loss of vector consumption. Thus, species that help alleviate the risk of zoonoses or provide biological control are not protected. Hence, in view of the global amphibian decline and the risk of zoonoses, we support the current wildlife trade regulations and support measures to safeguard wildlife from overexploitation. The current period of regulation overhaul should be used as a springboard for amphibian conservation. To mitigate risks, we suggest the following stipulations specifically for amphibians. I) Restrictions to amphibian farming in eastern Asia, in relation to pathogen transmission and the establishment of invasive species. II) Regulation of the amphibian pet trade, with a focus on potential vector species. III) Expansion of the wildlife trade ban, to limit the wildlife-human-pet interface. The resulting actions will benefit both human and wildlife populations, as they will lead to a decrease in the risk of zoonoses and better protection of the environment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT There is an increasing number of emerging infectious diseases impacting all species, including amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The latest threat to humans is the virus responsible for COVID-19, and the resulting pandemic. Countries in eastern Asia have taken steps to regulate wildlife trade and prevent further zoonoses thereby decreasing the risk of pathogens arising from wild species. However, as amphibians are generally excluded from regulations we support specific trade restrictions: I) Restrictions to amphibian farming; II) regulation of the amphibian pet trade; III) expansion of the wildlife trade ban. These restrictions will benefit both human and wildlife populations by decreasing the risks of zoonoses and better protecting the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaël Borzée
- Laboratory of Animal Behaviour and Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, 3701 Lake Shore Blvd W, P.O. Box 48586, Toronto, Ontario M8W 1P5, Canada
| | - Jos Kielgast
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, 3701 Lake Shore Blvd W, P.O. Box 48586, Toronto, Ontario M8W 1P5, Canada
- Section for Freshwater Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, DK-2100, Denmark
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Universitetsparken, 15, DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Sally Wren
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, 3701 Lake Shore Blvd W, P.O. Box 48586, Toronto, Ontario M8W 1P5, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Ariadne Angulo
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, 3701 Lake Shore Blvd W, P.O. Box 48586, Toronto, Ontario M8W 1P5, Canada
| | - Shu Chen
- Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kevin R Messenger
- Herpetology and Applied Conservation Laboratory, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Anne Baker
- Amphibian Ark, Conservation Planning Specialist Group, Apple Valley, USA
| | - Marcileida M Dos Santos
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, 3701 Lake Shore Blvd W, P.O. Box 48586, Toronto, Ontario M8W 1P5, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Mirza Kusrini
- Department of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecotourism, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Jianping Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Irina V Maslova
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690022, Russia
| | - Indraneil Das
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan 94300, Malaysia
| | - Daesik Park
- Division of Science Education, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Kangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Robert W Murphy
- Centre for Biodiversity, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jing Che
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, People's Republic of China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, People's Republic of China
| | - Tu Van Do
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Viet Nam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Truong Quang Nguyen
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Viet Nam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Ming-Feng Chuang
- Department of Life Sciences and Research Center for Global Change Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Phillip J Bishop
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, 3701 Lake Shore Blvd W, P.O. Box 48586, Toronto, Ontario M8W 1P5, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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23
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Jervis P, Pintanel P, Hopkins K, Wierzbicki C, Shelton JMG, Skelly E, Rosa GM, Almeida-Reinoso D, Eugenia-Ordoñez M, Ron S, Harrison X, Merino-Viteri A, Fisher MC. Post-epizootic microbiome associations across communities of neotropical amphibians. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:1322-1335. [PMID: 33411382 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Microbiome-pathogen interactions are increasingly recognized as an important element of host immunity. While these host-level interactions will have consequences for community disease dynamics, the factors which influence host microbiomes at larger scales are poorly understood. We here describe landscape-scale pathogen-microbiome associations within the context of post-epizootic amphibian chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by the panzootic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. We undertook a survey of Neotropical amphibians across altitudinal gradients in Ecuador ~30 years following the observed amphibian declines and collected skin swab-samples which were metabarcoded using both fungal (ITS-2) and bacterial (r16S) amplicons. The data revealed marked variation in patterns of both B. dendrobatidis infection and microbiome structure that are associated with host life history. Stream breeding amphibians were most likely to be infected with B. dendrobatidis. This increased probability of infection was further associated with increased abundance and diversity of non-Batrachochytrium chytrid fungi in the skin and environmental microbiome. We also show that increased alpha diversity and the relative abundance of fungi are lower in the skin microbiome of adult stream amphibians compared to adult pond-breeding amphibians, an association not seen for bacteria. Finally, stream tadpoles exhibit lower proportions of predicted protective microbial taxa than pond tadpoles, suggesting reduced biotic resistance. Our analyses show that host breeding ecology strongly shapes pathogen-microbiome associations at a landscape scale, a trait that may influence resilience in the face of emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Jervis
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK.,Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK.,Department of Chemistry, UCL, London, UK.,Laboratorio de Ecofisiología and Museo de Zoología (QCAZ), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Pol Pintanel
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología and Museo de Zoología (QCAZ), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.,Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Kevin Hopkins
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Claudia Wierzbicki
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK.,Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer M G Shelton
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Emily Skelly
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK.,Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Gonçalo M Rosa
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK.,Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diego Almeida-Reinoso
- Museo de Zoologίa (QCAZ), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Catόlica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.,SARgrillo: Ex situ Management Program of Endangered Amphibians and Insect Breeding program, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Maria Eugenia-Ordoñez
- Fungario QCAM, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Santiago Ron
- Museo de Zoologίa (QCAZ), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Catόlica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Xavier Harrison
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Andrés Merino-Viteri
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología and Museo de Zoología (QCAZ), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Matthew C Fisher
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK
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24
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Beukema W, Pasmans F, Van Praet S, Ferri-Yáñez F, Kelly M, Laking AE, Erens J, Speybroeck J, Verheyen K, Lens L, Martel A. Microclimate limits thermal behaviour favourable to disease control in a nocturnal amphibian. Ecol Lett 2020; 24:27-37. [PMID: 33022129 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
While epizootics increasingly affect wildlife, it remains poorly understood how the environment shapes most host-pathogen systems. Here, we employ a three-step framework to study microclimate influence on ectotherm host thermal behaviour, focusing on amphibian chytridiomycosis in fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) infected with the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). Laboratory trials reveal that innate variation in thermal preference, rather than behavioural fever, can inhibit infection and facilitate salamander recovery under humidity-saturated conditions. Yet, a 3-year field study and a mesocosm experiment close to the invasive Bsal range show that microclimate constraints suppress host thermal behaviour favourable to disease control. A final mechanistic model, that estimates range-wide, year-round host body temperature relative to microclimate, suggests that these constraints are rule rather than exception. Our results demonstrate how innate host defences against epizootics may remain constrained in the wild, which predisposes to range-wide disease outbreaks and population declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Beukema
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - Sarah Van Praet
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - Francisco Ferri-Yáñez
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, Halle, 06120, Germany
| | - Moira Kelly
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - Alexandra E Laking
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - Jesse Erens
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Speybroeck
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest - INBO, Havenlaan 88 bus 73, Brussels, 1000, Belgium
| | - Kris Verheyen
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, Gontrode, 9090, Belgium
| | - Luc Lens
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K. L, Ledeganckstraat 35, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - An Martel
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
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25
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Dampened virulence and limited proliferation of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans during subclinical infection of the troglobiont olm (Proteus anguinus). Sci Rep 2020; 10:16480. [PMID: 33020584 PMCID: PMC7536193 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73800-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging infections add to existing threats to the survival of amphibians worldwide. The olm (Proteus anguinus) is a vulnerable, troglobiont urodele species with a small European range and restricted to underground karstic systems. Population declines to emerging threats like the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, are likely to go unnoticed due to inaccessibility of the species’ habitat. We here studied the interaction between olms and B. salamandrivorans. Experimental inoculation of olms resulted in low-level, asymptomatic but persistent infections, with limbs as predilection sites. The lack of exponential fungal growth in the olms’ epidermis correlated with limited fungal proliferation and dampened virulence gene expression after exposure to olm skin compounds. The olm is one of few western Palearctic urodeles that is tolerant to B. salamandrivorans infection and may act as a subterranean disease reservoir, yet costs of subclinical infection may compromise olm fitness on the long term.
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26
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Li Z, Martel A, Bogaerts S, Göçmen B, Pafilis P, Lymberakis P, Woeltjes T, Veith M, Pasmans F. Landscape Connectivity Limits the Predicted Impact of Fungal Pathogen Invasion. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E205. [PMID: 33022972 PMCID: PMC7712934 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are major drivers of biodiversity loss. The risk of fungal diseases to the survival of threatened animals in nature is determined by a complex interplay between host, pathogen and environment. We here predict the risk of invasion of populations of threatened Mediterranean salamanders of the genus Lyciasalamandra by the pathogenic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans by combining field sampling and lab trials. In 494 samples across all seven species of Lyciasalamandra, B. salamandrivorans was found to be absent. Single exposure to a low (1000) number of fungal zoospores resulted in fast buildup of lethal infections in three L. helverseni. Thermal preference of the salamanders was well within the thermal envelope of the pathogen and body temperatures never exceeded the fungus' thermal critical maximum, limiting the salamanders' defense opportunities. The relatively low thermal host preference largely invalidates macroclimatic based habitat suitability predictions and, combined with current pathogen absence and high host densities, suggests a high probability of local salamander population declines upon invasion by B. salamandrivorans. However, the unfavorable landscape that shaped intraspecific host genetic diversity, lack of known alternative hosts and rapid host mortality after infection present barriers to further, natural pathogen dispersal between populations and thus species extinction. The risk of anthropogenic spread stresses the importance of biosecurity in amphibian habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Li
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (Z.L.); (A.M.)
| | - An Martel
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (Z.L.); (A.M.)
| | | | - Bayram Göçmen
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Ege University, TR-35100 İzmir, Turkey
| | - Panayiotis Pafilis
- Department of Zoology and Marine Biology, School of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Ilissia, 15784 Athens, Greece;
| | - Petros Lymberakis
- Natural History Museum of Crete, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Crete, Knossos Ave., 1409 Irakleio, Greece;
| | | | - Michael Veith
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Universitätsring 15, D-54296 Trier, Germany;
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (Z.L.); (A.M.)
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27
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Liu C, Wolter C, Xian W, Jeschke JM. Most invasive species largely conserve their climatic niche. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:23643-23651. [PMID: 32883880 PMCID: PMC7519298 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2004289117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The ecological niche is a key concept for elucidating patterns of species distributions and developing strategies for conserving biodiversity. However, recent times are seeing a widespread debate whether species niches are conserved across space and time (niche conservatism hypothesis). Biological invasions represent a unique opportunity to test this hypothesis in a short time frame at the global scale. We synthesized empirical findings for 434 invasive species from 86 studies to assess whether invasive species conserve their climatic niche between native and introduced ranges. Although the niche conservatism hypothesis was rejected in most studies, highly contrasting conclusions for the same species between and within studies suggest that the dichotomous conclusions of these studies were sensitive to techniques, assessment criteria, or author preferences. We performed a consistent quantitative analysis of the dynamics between native and introduced climatic niches reported by previous studies. Our results show there is very limited niche expansion between native and introduced ranges, and introduced niches occupy a position similar to native niches in the environmental space. These findings support the niche conservatism hypothesis overall. In particular, introduced niches were narrower for terrestrial animals, species introduced more recently, or species with more native occurrences. Niche similarity was lower for aquatic species, species introduced only intentionally or more recently, or species with fewer introduced occurrences. Climatic niche conservatism for invasive species not only increases our confidence in transferring ecological niche models to new ranges but also supports the use of niche models for forecasting species responses to changing climates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlong Liu
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587 Berlin, Germany;
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266071 Qingdao, China
| | - Christian Wolter
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Weiwei Xian
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266071 Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 266071 Qingdao, China
| | - Jonathan M Jeschke
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587 Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195 Berlin, Germany
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28
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Carter ED, Miller DL, Peterson AC, Sutton WB, Cusaac JPW, Spatz JA, Rollins‐Smith L, Reinert L, Bohanon M, Williams LA, Upchurch A, Gray MJ. Conservation risk of
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans
to endemic lungless salamanders. Conserv Lett 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Edward Davis Carter
- Center for Wildlife Health, Department of ForestryWildlife and FisheriesUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Knoxville Tennessee
| | - Debra L. Miller
- Center for Wildlife Health, Department of ForestryWildlife and FisheriesUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Knoxville Tennessee
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Knoxville Tennessee
| | - Anna C. Peterson
- Center for Wildlife Health, Department of ForestryWildlife and FisheriesUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Knoxville Tennessee
| | - William B. Sutton
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental SciencesTennessee State University Nashville Tennessee
| | - Joseph Patrick W. Cusaac
- Center for Wildlife Health, Department of ForestryWildlife and FisheriesUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Knoxville Tennessee
| | - Jennifer A. Spatz
- Center for Wildlife Health, Department of ForestryWildlife and FisheriesUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Knoxville Tennessee
| | - Louise Rollins‐Smith
- Department of PathologyMicrobiology & ImmunologyVanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee
| | - Laura Reinert
- Department of PathologyMicrobiology & ImmunologyVanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee
| | - Markese Bohanon
- Center for Wildlife Health, Department of ForestryWildlife and FisheriesUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Knoxville Tennessee
| | - Lori A. Williams
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Raleigh North Carolina
| | | | - Matthew J. Gray
- Center for Wildlife Health, Department of ForestryWildlife and FisheriesUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Knoxville Tennessee
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29
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Hettyey A, Ujszegi J, Herczeg D, Holly D, Vörös J, Schmidt BR, Bosch J. Mitigating Disease Impacts in Amphibian Populations: Capitalizing on the Thermal Optimum Mismatch Between a Pathogen and Its Host. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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30
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The importance of biological plausibility for data poor models in the face of an immediate threat by an emerging infectious disease: a reply to Katz and Zellmer (2018). Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-019-02035-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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