Infectious diseases

– Knowledge of worldwide diversity and distribution of amphibian pathogens

– Developing baseline population data and monitoring methods to identify infection-related population declines

– Preventing pathogen spread to naive populations

– Biological determinants underpinning variation in pathogen lineages associated with amphibian population decline/extinction

– Transmission processes of main disease threats across spatial scales and via non-amphibian vectors, and persistence of pathogens in the environment

– Factors (e.g. genetic, immunological) that distinguish amphibian species, populations and individuals that resist or tolerate infections

– Interaction of infections with contaminants, climate, other stressors

– Variation in susceptibility across life stages

– Ecosystem impacts of amphibian declines and extirpations resulting from infectious disease

– Effect of temperature variation (human and natural) on pathogen-host dynamics

– Role of trade in spread of Bd/Bsal in US and internationally

ii. Develop concept note for doctoral grants fund

ii. Coordinate strain typing and mapping of the distribution of strains of RV and Bsal as has been done for Bd

ii. Support academic partners (e.g. Imperial College London and others) to develop a website like http://www.bd-maps.net for Bsal and ranavirus and promote it using ASA communications channels including ASA-AmphibiaWeb Science Zone

ii. Encourage development of a cheaper alternative to the qPCR detection method

iii. Develop policy statement to encourage local authorities to expedite permits for collecting samples for PCR analysis

ii. Facilitate collaborations between researchers, local and international universities, protected area managers and other Alliance members to undertake disease and population monitoring in priority areas (e.g. Madagascar’s Chytrid Emergency Cell).

iii. Support a citizen science project that encourages pet owners to swab their pet amphibians for Bsal

iv. Identify labs that analyze swabs for Bd/Bsal

ii. Coordinate comparative studies of species/population susceptibility (tolerance/resistance) in key species in particular regions using common experimental design

ii. Facilitate collaborations between researchers, protected area managers, zoos and other captive breeding facilities, and other Alliance members to undertake disease and population monitoring in priority areas

iii. Conduct Bsal susceptibility experiments on priority species that represent a wide taxonomic range to determine the extent of the threat

– Probiotics

– Chemotherapeutics

– Vaccinations

– Micropredators

– Artificial selection

– Head-starting/reintroduction

– Habitat modification

– Managed relocation to new habitats as in NZ

– Other tools to help limit pathogen spread

ii. Encourage collaborations between natural park personnel and scientists in order to promote mesocosm-type studies to evaluate the potential impact of mitigation strategies with native species in their own environment

ii. Support local graduate students and protected area managers to implement trials

ii. Co-author a policy piece for a high profile journal with the recommendations from this working group

ii. Develop concept note for highly threatened species fund

ii. Engage education graduate students to develop curriculum module at various grade levels

ii. Encourage regulatory officials to establish a testing program for amphibian pathogens.

iii. Promote development of a multi-pathogen screening tool.

iv. Explore efficient, effective quarantine options as part of a clean trade program