Survey of ranavirus in central Virginia reptiles

Background/Question/Methods

Emerging pathogens within the genus Ranavirus (family Iridoviridae) are carried by and can be lethal to ectotherms including amphibians, fish, and reptiles.  Impacts of this virus in reptiles are understudied, and surveillance data is lacking for most species of reptiles in the wild.  We surveyed four species of reptiles for ranavirus in central Virginia:  Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), Eastern Fence Lizards (Sceloporus undulatus), Common Five-lined Skinks (Plestiodon fasciatus), and Eastern Worm Snakes (Carphophis amoenus).  Tissue samples were taken from animals captured in the wild, and DNA was extracted and tested for presence of ranavirus using quantitative PCR.

Results/Conclusions

Our study confirms the presence of ranavirus in wild populations of reptiles in central Virginia.  While ranavirus has been previously found and confirmed as a cause of die-offs in Eastern Box Turtles, it has not been surveyed in any wild squamates to date.  Ranavirus has been detected and suspected to cause mortality in captive animals and shipments of several snake and lizard species.  Therefore, our study contributes to better understanding of the range and prevalence of this emerging wildlife disease in reptiles.