Emerging myxosporean parasites of Australian frogs take a ride with fresh fruit transport
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The spread of wildlife pathogens into new geographical ranges or populations is a conservation concern for endangered species. <it>Cystodiscus australis</it> and <it>Cystodiscus axonis</it> are two species of...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2012-09-01
|
| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/5/1/208 |
| _version_ | 1819135469034668032 |
|---|---|
| author | Hartigan Ashlie Peacock Lee Rosenwax Alex Phalen David N Šlapeta Jan |
| author_facet | Hartigan Ashlie Peacock Lee Rosenwax Alex Phalen David N Šlapeta Jan |
| author_sort | Hartigan Ashlie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The spread of wildlife pathogens into new geographical ranges or populations is a conservation concern for endangered species. <it>Cystodiscus australis</it> and <it>Cystodiscus axonis</it> are two species of myxosporean parasites infecting Australian frogs and tadpoles that have been recently recognised as important disease agents impacting amphibian conservation. Yet despite their importance to wildlife health, the mechanism of emergence for these parasites is unknown. We hypothesise that these parasites are capable of being accidentally translocated with their amphibian hosts in fresh produce (agricultural, horticultural and industrial) shipments into naïve environments and host populations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We surveyed 33 Australian “Banana box” frogs from Sydney fruit markets during 2011 using faecal smears and multiplex species specific PCR on DNA isolated from frog faeces or using histopathology to demonstrate the presence of both <it>C. australis</it> and <it>C. axonis</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One of the “Banana box” frogs, the Dainty green tree frog (<it>Litoria gracilenta</it>) was positive for <it>C. australis</it> and <it>C. axonis</it> in its faeces and continuously shed the parasites for eight months.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We present a possible mechanism for the emergence of <it>Cystodiscus</it> parasites and a non-invasive screening method to be used as a diagnostic test. In the future, vigilance and communication between wildlife managers/researchers and veterinarians will provide valuable information about these parasites, their host range and true distribution. This will aid risk management assessments for threatened populations within the range of <it>Cystodiscus</it> parasites and ultimately enhance conservation efforts.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T10:19:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cc9b4f447ea64c269ac2dd2846fa8380 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T10:19:34Z |
| publishDate | 2012-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj.art-cc9b4f447ea64c269ac2dd2846fa83802022-12-21T18:29:40ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052012-09-015120810.1186/1756-3305-5-208Emerging myxosporean parasites of Australian frogs take a ride with fresh fruit transportHartigan AshliePeacock LeeRosenwax AlexPhalen David NŠlapeta Jan<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The spread of wildlife pathogens into new geographical ranges or populations is a conservation concern for endangered species. <it>Cystodiscus australis</it> and <it>Cystodiscus axonis</it> are two species of myxosporean parasites infecting Australian frogs and tadpoles that have been recently recognised as important disease agents impacting amphibian conservation. Yet despite their importance to wildlife health, the mechanism of emergence for these parasites is unknown. We hypothesise that these parasites are capable of being accidentally translocated with their amphibian hosts in fresh produce (agricultural, horticultural and industrial) shipments into naïve environments and host populations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We surveyed 33 Australian “Banana box” frogs from Sydney fruit markets during 2011 using faecal smears and multiplex species specific PCR on DNA isolated from frog faeces or using histopathology to demonstrate the presence of both <it>C. australis</it> and <it>C. axonis</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One of the “Banana box” frogs, the Dainty green tree frog (<it>Litoria gracilenta</it>) was positive for <it>C. australis</it> and <it>C. axonis</it> in its faeces and continuously shed the parasites for eight months.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We present a possible mechanism for the emergence of <it>Cystodiscus</it> parasites and a non-invasive screening method to be used as a diagnostic test. In the future, vigilance and communication between wildlife managers/researchers and veterinarians will provide valuable information about these parasites, their host range and true distribution. This will aid risk management assessments for threatened populations within the range of <it>Cystodiscus</it> parasites and ultimately enhance conservation efforts.</p>http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/5/1/208MyxozoaCystodiscusTranslocationFrogWildlifeDisease |
| spellingShingle | Hartigan Ashlie Peacock Lee Rosenwax Alex Phalen David N Šlapeta Jan Emerging myxosporean parasites of Australian frogs take a ride with fresh fruit transport Parasites & Vectors Myxozoa Cystodiscus Translocation Frog Wildlife Disease |
| title | Emerging myxosporean parasites of Australian frogs take a ride with fresh fruit transport |
| title_full | Emerging myxosporean parasites of Australian frogs take a ride with fresh fruit transport |
| title_fullStr | Emerging myxosporean parasites of Australian frogs take a ride with fresh fruit transport |
| title_full_unstemmed | Emerging myxosporean parasites of Australian frogs take a ride with fresh fruit transport |
| title_short | Emerging myxosporean parasites of Australian frogs take a ride with fresh fruit transport |
| title_sort | emerging myxosporean parasites of australian frogs take a ride with fresh fruit transport |
| topic | Myxozoa Cystodiscus Translocation Frog Wildlife Disease |
| url | http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/5/1/208 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hartiganashlie emergingmyxosporeanparasitesofaustralianfrogstakearidewithfreshfruittransport AT peacocklee emergingmyxosporeanparasitesofaustralianfrogstakearidewithfreshfruittransport AT rosenwaxalex emergingmyxosporeanparasitesofaustralianfrogstakearidewithfreshfruittransport AT phalendavidn emergingmyxosporeanparasitesofaustralianfrogstakearidewithfreshfruittransport AT slapetajan emergingmyxosporeanparasitesofaustralianfrogstakearidewithfreshfruittransport |