Disease is a major threat facing amphibian and reptile populations around the world. Our research addresses interactions between pathogens, the environment, and hosts to better understand ways to prevent the spread of disease.
We are active in the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) national surveillance effort for the emerging pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal; salamander chytrid). Bsal is responsible for salamander die-offs in Europe. The United States hosts the highest salamander richness in the world and any future introduction of Bsal could threaten an array of native species. We conduct diagnostic sampling of at-risk amphibian populations to monitor for the presence of Bsal and the closely-related Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). ARMI and collaborators including the Bsal Task Force have developed tools to target and rapidly respond to Bsal if detected in the United States.
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Filter Total Items: 21
Pan-amphibia distribution of the fungal parasite Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis varies with species and temperature
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a globally distributed fungal pathogen of amphibians that has contributed to one of the largest disease-related biodiversity losses in wildlife. Bd is regularly viewed through the lens of a global wildlife epizootic because the spread of highly virulent genetic lineages has resulted in well-documented declines and extinctions of multiple amphibian...
Authors
Daniel A. Grear, M. J. Adams, Adam R. Backlin, William J. Barichivich, Adrianne Brand, Gary M. Bucciarelli, Daniel L. Calhoun, Tara E. Chestnut, Jon D Davenport, Andrew E. Dietrich, Graziella Vittoria DiRenzo, Robert N. Fisher, Brad M. Glorioso, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Brian Halstead, Marc P Hayes, Blake Hossack, Morgan Kain, Patrick M. Kleeman, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Brome McCreary, David Miller, Brittany Mosher, Erin L. Muths, Christopher Pearl, Charles W Robinson, Mark F. Roth, Jennifer Christine Rowe, Walter Sadinski, Brent Sigafus, Iga Stasiak, Samuel Sweet, J. Hardin Waddle, Susan C. Walls, Gregory J Watkins-Colwell, Lori A Williams, Megan Winzeler
Preparing for a Bsal invasion into North America has improved multi-sector readiness
Western palearctic salamander susceptibility to the skin disease caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) was recognized in 2014, eliciting concerns for a potential novel wave of amphibian declines following the B. dendrobatidis (Bd) chytridiomycosis global pandemic. Although Bsal had not been detected in North America, initial experimental trials...
Authors
Deanna H. Olson, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Molly C. Bletz, Jonah Piovia-Scott, David Lesbarrères, Jacob L. Kerby, M. J. Adams, Maria Florencia Breitman, Michelle R. Christman, Maria J. Forzan, Matthew J. Gray, Aubree J. Hill, Michelle S. Koo, Olga Milenkaya, Eria A. Rebollar, Louise A. Rollins-Smith, Megan Serr, Alex Shepak, Lenny Shirose, Laura Sprague, Jenifer Walke, Alexa R. Warwick, Brittany Mosher
Chytrid infections exhibit historical spread and contemporary seasonality in a declining stream-breeding frog
Species with extensive geographical ranges pose special challenges to assessing drivers of wildlife disease, necessitating collaborative and large-scale analyses. The imperilled foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) inhabits a wide geographical range and variable conditions in rivers of California and Oregon (USA), and is considered threatened by the pathogen Batrachochytrium...
Authors
Anat M. Belasen, R.A. Peek, A.J. Adams, I.D. Russell, M.E. De León, M. J. Adams, J. Bettaso, K.G.H. Breedveld, A. Catenazzi, C.P. Dillingham, Daniel A. Grear, Brian Halstead, P.G. Johnson, Patrick M. Kleeman, Michelle S. Koo, C.W. Koppl, J.D. Lauder, G. Padgett-Flohr, Jonah Piovia-Scott, K.L. Pope, Vance T. Vredenburg, M. Westphal, K. Wiseman, Sarah J. Kupferberg
Enhanced between-site biosecurity to minimize herpetofaunal disease-causing pathogen transmission
Pathogens and their associated diseases have the potential to severely affect wildlife populations, including herpetofauna. Concern is increasing for transmission pathways of herpetofaunal diseases, especially for amphibians affected by the fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd: Longcore et al. 1999) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal: Martel et al. 2013), and amphibians and...
Authors
Deanna H. Olson, Katherine H. Haman, Matthew J. Gray, Reid N. Harris, Tracy Thompson, Marley E. Iredale, Michelle R. Christman, Jennifer M. Williams, M. J. Adams, Jennifer R. Ballard
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) not detected in an intensive survey of wild North American amphibians
The salamander chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans [Bsal]) is causing massive mortality of salamanders in Europe. The potential for spread via international trade into North America and the high diversity of salamanders has catalyzed concern about Bsal in the U.S. Surveillance programs for invading pathogens must initially meet challenges that include low rates of...
Authors
J. Hardin Waddle, Daniel A. Grear, Brittany Mosher, Evan H. Campbell Grant, M. J. Adams, Adam R. Backlin, William J. Barichivich, Adrianne Brand, Gary M. Bucciarelli, Daniel L. Calhoun, Tara E. Chestnut, Jon D Davenport, Andrew E. Dietrich, Robert N. Fisher, Brad M. Glorioso, Brian Halstead, Marc P Hayes, R. Ken Honeycutt, Blake Hossack, Patrick M. Kleeman, Julio A. Lemos-Espinal, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Robert W. Atkinson, Erin L. Muths, Christopher Pearl, Katherine Richgels, Charles W Robinson, Mark F. Roth, Jennifer Christine Rowe, Walter Sadinski, Brent Sigafus, Iga Stasiak, Samuel Sweet, Susan C. Walls, Gregory J Watkins-Colwell, C. LeAnn White, Lori A Williams, Megan Winzeler
Amphibian chytrid prevalence on boreal toads in SE Alaska and NW British Columbia: Tests of habitat, life stages, and temporal trends
Tracking and understanding variation in pathogens such as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ([Bd]), which causes amphibian chytridiomycosis and has caused population declines globally, is a priority for many land managers. However, there has been relatively little sampling of amphibian communities at high latitudes. We used skin swabs collected during 2005–2017 from boreal toads (Anaxyrus...
Authors
Blake Hossack, M. J. Adams, R. Ken Honeycutt, Jami J Belt, Sanjay Pyare
Effect of amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) on apparent survival of frogs and toads in the western USA
Despite increasing interest in determining the population-level effects of emerging infectious diseases on wildlife, estimating effects of disease on survival rates remains difficult. Even for a well-studied disease such as amphibian chytridiomycosis (caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]), there are few estimates of how survival of wild hosts is affected. We applied...
Authors
Robin E. Russell, Brian Halstead, Brittany Mosher, Erin L. Muths, M. J. Adams, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Robert N. Fisher, Patrick M. Kleeman, Adam R. Backlin, Christopher Pearl, R. Ken Honeycutt, Blake Hossack
Identifying management-relevant research priorities for responding to disease-associated amphibian declines
A research priority can be defined as a knowledge gap that, if resolved, identifies the optimal course of conservation action. We (a group of geographically distributed and multidisciplinary research scientists) used tools from nominal group theory and decision analysis to collaboratively identify and prioritize information needs within the context of disease-associated amphibian decline...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, M. J. Adams, Robert N. Fisher, Daniel A. Grear, Brian Halstead, Blake Hossack, Erin L. Muths, Katherine Richgels, Robin E. Russell, Kelly Smalling, J. Hardin Waddle, Susan C. Walls, C. LeAnn White
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Prepublication communication of research results
Publishing of scientific findings is central to the scientific process, and it is traditional to consider findings “provisional” until accepted by a peer-reviewed journal. Until publication, communication of provisional findings beyond participants in the study is typically limited. This practice helps assure scientific integrity. However, a dilemma arises when a provisional finding has...
Authors
M. J. Adams, Reid N. Harris, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Matthew J. Gray, M. Camille Hopkins, Samuel A. Iverson, Robert Likens, Mark Mandica, D.H. Olson, Alex Shepack, J. Hardin Waddle
Using decision analysis to support proactive management of emerging infectious wildlife diseases
Despite calls for improved responses to emerging infectious diseases in wildlife, management is seldom considered until a disease has been detected in affected populations. Reactive approaches may limit the potential for control and increase total response costs. An alternative, proactive management framework can identify immediate actions that reduce future impacts even before a disease...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, Erin L. Muths, Rachel A. Katz, Stefano Canessa, M. J. Adams, Jennifer R. Ballard, Lee Berger, Cheryl J. Briggs, Jeremy T.H. Coleman, Matthew J. Gray, M.Scott Harris, Reid N. Harris, Blake Hossack, Kathryn Huyvaert, Jonathan E. Kolby, Karen R. Lips, Robert E. Lovich, Hamish I. McCallum, Joseph R. Mendelson, Priya Nanjappa, Deanna H. Olson, Jenny G. Powers, Katherine Richgels, Robin E. Russell, Benedikt R. Schmidt, Annemarieke Spitzen-van der Sluijs, Mary Kay Watry, Douglas C. Woodhams, C. LeAnn White
Potential concerns with analytical Methods Used for the detection of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans from archived DNA of amphibian swab samples, Oregon, USA
Taxonomic identification of pollen has historically been accomplished via light microscopy but requires specialized knowledge and reference collections, particularly when identification to lower taxonomic levels is necessary. Recently, next-generation sequencing technology has been used as a cost-effective alternative for identifying bee-collected pollen; however, this novel approach has...
Authors
Deborah Iwanowicz, William B. Schill, Deanna H. Olson, M. J. Adams, Christine L. Densmore, Robert S. Cornman, Cynthia R. Adams, Chester R. Figiel, Chauncey W. Anderson, Andrew R. Blaustein, Tara E. Chestnut
Early action to address an emerging wildlife disease
A deadly fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) that affects amphibian skin was discovered during a die-off of European fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) in 2014. This pathogen has the potential to worsen already severe worldwide amphibian declines. Bsal is a close relative to another fungal disease known as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Many scientists...
Authors
M. J. Adams, M.Scott Harris, Daniel A. Grear
Disease is a major threat facing amphibian and reptile populations around the world. Our research addresses interactions between pathogens, the environment, and hosts to better understand ways to prevent the spread of disease.
We are active in the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) national surveillance effort for the emerging pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal; salamander chytrid). Bsal is responsible for salamander die-offs in Europe. The United States hosts the highest salamander richness in the world and any future introduction of Bsal could threaten an array of native species. We conduct diagnostic sampling of at-risk amphibian populations to monitor for the presence of Bsal and the closely-related Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). ARMI and collaborators including the Bsal Task Force have developed tools to target and rapidly respond to Bsal if detected in the United States.
Media
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Filter Total Items: 21
Pan-amphibia distribution of the fungal parasite Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis varies with species and temperature
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a globally distributed fungal pathogen of amphibians that has contributed to one of the largest disease-related biodiversity losses in wildlife. Bd is regularly viewed through the lens of a global wildlife epizootic because the spread of highly virulent genetic lineages has resulted in well-documented declines and extinctions of multiple amphibian...
Authors
Daniel A. Grear, M. J. Adams, Adam R. Backlin, William J. Barichivich, Adrianne Brand, Gary M. Bucciarelli, Daniel L. Calhoun, Tara E. Chestnut, Jon D Davenport, Andrew E. Dietrich, Graziella Vittoria DiRenzo, Robert N. Fisher, Brad M. Glorioso, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Brian Halstead, Marc P Hayes, Blake Hossack, Morgan Kain, Patrick M. Kleeman, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Brome McCreary, David Miller, Brittany Mosher, Erin L. Muths, Christopher Pearl, Charles W Robinson, Mark F. Roth, Jennifer Christine Rowe, Walter Sadinski, Brent Sigafus, Iga Stasiak, Samuel Sweet, J. Hardin Waddle, Susan C. Walls, Gregory J Watkins-Colwell, Lori A Williams, Megan Winzeler
Preparing for a Bsal invasion into North America has improved multi-sector readiness
Western palearctic salamander susceptibility to the skin disease caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) was recognized in 2014, eliciting concerns for a potential novel wave of amphibian declines following the B. dendrobatidis (Bd) chytridiomycosis global pandemic. Although Bsal had not been detected in North America, initial experimental trials...
Authors
Deanna H. Olson, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Molly C. Bletz, Jonah Piovia-Scott, David Lesbarrères, Jacob L. Kerby, M. J. Adams, Maria Florencia Breitman, Michelle R. Christman, Maria J. Forzan, Matthew J. Gray, Aubree J. Hill, Michelle S. Koo, Olga Milenkaya, Eria A. Rebollar, Louise A. Rollins-Smith, Megan Serr, Alex Shepak, Lenny Shirose, Laura Sprague, Jenifer Walke, Alexa R. Warwick, Brittany Mosher
Chytrid infections exhibit historical spread and contemporary seasonality in a declining stream-breeding frog
Species with extensive geographical ranges pose special challenges to assessing drivers of wildlife disease, necessitating collaborative and large-scale analyses. The imperilled foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) inhabits a wide geographical range and variable conditions in rivers of California and Oregon (USA), and is considered threatened by the pathogen Batrachochytrium...
Authors
Anat M. Belasen, R.A. Peek, A.J. Adams, I.D. Russell, M.E. De León, M. J. Adams, J. Bettaso, K.G.H. Breedveld, A. Catenazzi, C.P. Dillingham, Daniel A. Grear, Brian Halstead, P.G. Johnson, Patrick M. Kleeman, Michelle S. Koo, C.W. Koppl, J.D. Lauder, G. Padgett-Flohr, Jonah Piovia-Scott, K.L. Pope, Vance T. Vredenburg, M. Westphal, K. Wiseman, Sarah J. Kupferberg
Enhanced between-site biosecurity to minimize herpetofaunal disease-causing pathogen transmission
Pathogens and their associated diseases have the potential to severely affect wildlife populations, including herpetofauna. Concern is increasing for transmission pathways of herpetofaunal diseases, especially for amphibians affected by the fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd: Longcore et al. 1999) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal: Martel et al. 2013), and amphibians and...
Authors
Deanna H. Olson, Katherine H. Haman, Matthew J. Gray, Reid N. Harris, Tracy Thompson, Marley E. Iredale, Michelle R. Christman, Jennifer M. Williams, M. J. Adams, Jennifer R. Ballard
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) not detected in an intensive survey of wild North American amphibians
The salamander chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans [Bsal]) is causing massive mortality of salamanders in Europe. The potential for spread via international trade into North America and the high diversity of salamanders has catalyzed concern about Bsal in the U.S. Surveillance programs for invading pathogens must initially meet challenges that include low rates of...
Authors
J. Hardin Waddle, Daniel A. Grear, Brittany Mosher, Evan H. Campbell Grant, M. J. Adams, Adam R. Backlin, William J. Barichivich, Adrianne Brand, Gary M. Bucciarelli, Daniel L. Calhoun, Tara E. Chestnut, Jon D Davenport, Andrew E. Dietrich, Robert N. Fisher, Brad M. Glorioso, Brian Halstead, Marc P Hayes, R. Ken Honeycutt, Blake Hossack, Patrick M. Kleeman, Julio A. Lemos-Espinal, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Robert W. Atkinson, Erin L. Muths, Christopher Pearl, Katherine Richgels, Charles W Robinson, Mark F. Roth, Jennifer Christine Rowe, Walter Sadinski, Brent Sigafus, Iga Stasiak, Samuel Sweet, Susan C. Walls, Gregory J Watkins-Colwell, C. LeAnn White, Lori A Williams, Megan Winzeler
Amphibian chytrid prevalence on boreal toads in SE Alaska and NW British Columbia: Tests of habitat, life stages, and temporal trends
Tracking and understanding variation in pathogens such as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ([Bd]), which causes amphibian chytridiomycosis and has caused population declines globally, is a priority for many land managers. However, there has been relatively little sampling of amphibian communities at high latitudes. We used skin swabs collected during 2005–2017 from boreal toads (Anaxyrus...
Authors
Blake Hossack, M. J. Adams, R. Ken Honeycutt, Jami J Belt, Sanjay Pyare
Effect of amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) on apparent survival of frogs and toads in the western USA
Despite increasing interest in determining the population-level effects of emerging infectious diseases on wildlife, estimating effects of disease on survival rates remains difficult. Even for a well-studied disease such as amphibian chytridiomycosis (caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]), there are few estimates of how survival of wild hosts is affected. We applied...
Authors
Robin E. Russell, Brian Halstead, Brittany Mosher, Erin L. Muths, M. J. Adams, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Robert N. Fisher, Patrick M. Kleeman, Adam R. Backlin, Christopher Pearl, R. Ken Honeycutt, Blake Hossack
Identifying management-relevant research priorities for responding to disease-associated amphibian declines
A research priority can be defined as a knowledge gap that, if resolved, identifies the optimal course of conservation action. We (a group of geographically distributed and multidisciplinary research scientists) used tools from nominal group theory and decision analysis to collaboratively identify and prioritize information needs within the context of disease-associated amphibian decline...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, M. J. Adams, Robert N. Fisher, Daniel A. Grear, Brian Halstead, Blake Hossack, Erin L. Muths, Katherine Richgels, Robin E. Russell, Kelly Smalling, J. Hardin Waddle, Susan C. Walls, C. LeAnn White
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Prepublication communication of research results
Publishing of scientific findings is central to the scientific process, and it is traditional to consider findings “provisional” until accepted by a peer-reviewed journal. Until publication, communication of provisional findings beyond participants in the study is typically limited. This practice helps assure scientific integrity. However, a dilemma arises when a provisional finding has...
Authors
M. J. Adams, Reid N. Harris, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Matthew J. Gray, M. Camille Hopkins, Samuel A. Iverson, Robert Likens, Mark Mandica, D.H. Olson, Alex Shepack, J. Hardin Waddle
Using decision analysis to support proactive management of emerging infectious wildlife diseases
Despite calls for improved responses to emerging infectious diseases in wildlife, management is seldom considered until a disease has been detected in affected populations. Reactive approaches may limit the potential for control and increase total response costs. An alternative, proactive management framework can identify immediate actions that reduce future impacts even before a disease...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, Erin L. Muths, Rachel A. Katz, Stefano Canessa, M. J. Adams, Jennifer R. Ballard, Lee Berger, Cheryl J. Briggs, Jeremy T.H. Coleman, Matthew J. Gray, M.Scott Harris, Reid N. Harris, Blake Hossack, Kathryn Huyvaert, Jonathan E. Kolby, Karen R. Lips, Robert E. Lovich, Hamish I. McCallum, Joseph R. Mendelson, Priya Nanjappa, Deanna H. Olson, Jenny G. Powers, Katherine Richgels, Robin E. Russell, Benedikt R. Schmidt, Annemarieke Spitzen-van der Sluijs, Mary Kay Watry, Douglas C. Woodhams, C. LeAnn White
Potential concerns with analytical Methods Used for the detection of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans from archived DNA of amphibian swab samples, Oregon, USA
Taxonomic identification of pollen has historically been accomplished via light microscopy but requires specialized knowledge and reference collections, particularly when identification to lower taxonomic levels is necessary. Recently, next-generation sequencing technology has been used as a cost-effective alternative for identifying bee-collected pollen; however, this novel approach has...
Authors
Deborah Iwanowicz, William B. Schill, Deanna H. Olson, M. J. Adams, Christine L. Densmore, Robert S. Cornman, Cynthia R. Adams, Chester R. Figiel, Chauncey W. Anderson, Andrew R. Blaustein, Tara E. Chestnut
Early action to address an emerging wildlife disease
A deadly fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) that affects amphibian skin was discovered during a die-off of European fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) in 2014. This pathogen has the potential to worsen already severe worldwide amphibian declines. Bsal is a close relative to another fungal disease known as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Many scientists...
Authors
M. J. Adams, M.Scott Harris, Daniel A. Grear