Thursday, August 9, 2007 - 2:50 PM

OOS 41-5: Commercial movement of amphibian pathogens within the bait trade

Angela M. Picco and James P. Collins. Arizona State University

Amphibians are moved commercially through the pet trade, food trade, bait trade, and as research organisms. The commercial transport of amphibians may enhance the spread of amphibian diseases. Two emerging infectious diseases of amphibians, ranaviral disease and chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, are implicated in die-offs, declines, and extinctions of amphibian populations. To evaluate and manage the impact of commercially-moved pathogens on amphibian populations, we must first understand the transport of amphibians and their pathogens through commercial trade. Our research uses the movement of amphibian pathogens through the tiger salamander bait trade in North America as a model for the transport of amphibians and their pathogens by commerce. Using molecular techniques, tiger salamanders from the bait trade were screened for ranaviruses and chytrids to evaluate the prevalence of these pathogens within commercially sold bait. These results, combined with previous work suggesting a mechanism by which viable salamanders are released into wild populations through the bait trade, show that commercial trade is a possible mechanism for spreading amphibian disease.