Fish & Wildlife Disease: Amphibian Diseases
Active
By Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program
September 28, 2022
Amphibians are the most threatened groups of animals on the planet. Diseases (e.g., chytrid fungi, ranavirus, severe perkinsea infections (SPI)) are negatively impacting these species. Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Bd) was identified 15 years ago as one of the primary causes of death for many amphibians. However, the ecology and epidemiology of Bd is still being investigated. A second type of chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, Bsal) is emerging in Europe. While Bsal primarily affects salamanders, frogs can also become infected and spread this disease. SPI has been associated with large-scale frog die-offs in at least 10 states.
USGS formed the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) to lead a cooperative national effort that is monitoring amphibians and researching potential causes of decline, including disease.
Amphibian Disease Research
Amphibian Disease Research
Explore our science using the data below.
Recent publications related to USGS amphibian disease research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS amphibian disease publications is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 29
Empirical evidence for effects of invasive American Bullfrogs on occurrence of native amphibians and emerging pathogens Empirical evidence for effects of invasive American Bullfrogs on occurrence of native amphibians and emerging pathogens
Invasive species and emerging infectious diseases are two of the greatest threats to biodiversity. American Bullfrogs (Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana), which have been introduced to many parts of the world, are often linked with declines of native amphibians via predation and spreading emerging pathogens such as amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]) and...
Authors
Blake R. Hossack, Emily B Oja, Audrey K Owens, David L. Hall, Cassidi Cobos, Catherine L. Crawford, Caren S. Goldberg, Shaula Hedwell, Paige E. Howell, Julio A. Lemos-Espinal, Susan K MacVean, Magnus McCaffery, Cody Mosley, Erin L. Muths, Brent H. Sigafus, Micahel J Sredl, James C. Rorabaugh
Know what you don't know: Embracing state uncertainty in disease-structured multistate models Know what you don't know: Embracing state uncertainty in disease-structured multistate models
Hidden Markov models (HMMs) are broadly applicable hierarchical models that derive their utility from separating state processes from observation processes yielding the data. Multistate models such as mark–recapture and dynamic multistate occupancy models are HMMs frequently used in ecology. In their early formulations, states, such as pathogen infection status, were assumed to be...
Authors
Matthijs Hollanders, Andy Royle
Looking ahead, guided by the past: The role of U.S. national parks in amphibian research and conservation Looking ahead, guided by the past: The role of U.S. national parks in amphibian research and conservation
Protected areas like national parks are essential elements of conservation because they limit human influence on the landscape, which protects biodiversity and ecosystem function. The role of national parks in conservation, however, often goes far beyond limiting human influence. The U.S. National Park Service and its system of land units contribute substantively to conservation by...
Authors
Brian J. Halstead, Andrew M. Ray, Erin L. Muths, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Rob Grasso, Michael J. Adams, Kathleen Semple Delaney, Jane Carlson, Blake R. Hossack
Identifying factors linked with persistence of reintroduced populations: Lessons learned from 25 years of amphibian translocations Identifying factors linked with persistence of reintroduced populations: Lessons learned from 25 years of amphibian translocations
Conservation translocations are increasingly used to help recover imperiled species. However, success of establishing populations remains low, especially for amphibians. Identifying factors associated with translocation success can help increase efficiency and efficacy of recovery efforts. Since the 1990s, several captive and semi-captive facilities have produced Chiricahua Leopard Frogs...
Authors
Blake R. Hossack, Paige E. Howell, Audrey K Owens, C Cobos, Caren S. Goldberg, David L. Hall, Shaula Hedwall, Susi MacVean, Magnus McCaffery, A. Hunter McCall, C Mosley, Emily Bea Oja, James C. Rorabaugh, Brent H. Sigafus, Michael J Sredl
Site- and individual-level contaminations affect infection prevalence of an emerging infectious disease of amphibians Site- and individual-level contaminations affect infection prevalence of an emerging infectious disease of amphibians
Emerging infectious disease outbreaks are one of multiple stressors responsible for amphibian declines globally. In the northeastern United States, ranaviral diseases are prevalent in amphibians and other ectothermic species, but there is still uncertainty as to whether their presence is leading to population level effects. Further, there is also uncertainty surrounding the potential...
Authors
Kelly L. Smalling, Brittany A. Mosher, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Keith A. Loftin, Adam Boehlke, Michelle L. Hladik, Carly R. Muletz-Wolz, Nandadevi Cortes-Rodriguez, Robin Femmer, Evan H. Campbell Grant
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Plains Water Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, California Water Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center
Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys
Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens that have caused mortality events in amphibians worldwide. Despite the negative effects of ranaviruses on amphibian populations, monitoring efforts are still lacking in many areas, including in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America. Some PPR wetlands in Montana and North Dakota (USA) have been contaminated by energy-related saline...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Erica J Crespi, Bernardo A. Traversari, Kenzi M Stemp, Creagh W Breuner, Caren S. Goldberg, Blake R. Hossack
Acute mortality in California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) caused by Ribeiroia ondatrae (Class: Trematoda) Acute mortality in California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) caused by Ribeiroia ondatrae (Class: Trematoda)
In early September 2019, a morbidity and mortality event affecting California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) in late stages of metamorphosis was reported at a National Wildlife Refuge in Santa Cruz County, California, U.S.A. During the postmortem disease investigation, severe integumentary metacercarial...
Authors
Saskia Keller, Constance Roderick, Christopher Caris, Daniel A. Grear, Rebecca A. Cole
Evaluation of regulatory action and surveillance as preventive risk-mitigation to an emerging global amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) Evaluation of regulatory action and surveillance as preventive risk-mitigation to an emerging global amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal)
The emerging amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is a severe threat to global urodelan (salamanders, newts, and related taxa) biodiversity. Bsal has not been detected, to date, in North America, but the risk is high because North America is one of the global hotspots for urodelan biodiversity. The North American and United States response to the discovery of Bsal...
Authors
Daniel A. Grear, Brittany A. Mosher, Katherine Richgels, Evan H. Campbell Grant
Enigmatic near‐extirpation in a boreal toad metapopulation in northwestern Montana Enigmatic near‐extirpation in a boreal toad metapopulation in northwestern Montana
North America's protected lands harbor biodiversity and provide habitats where species threatened by a variety of stressors in other environments can thrive. Yet disease, climate change, and other threats are not limited by land management boundaries and can interact with conditions within protected landscapes to affect sensitive populations. We examined the population dynamics of a...
Authors
Rebecca M. McCaffery, Robin E. Russell, Blake R. Hossack
Widespread Ranavirus and Perkinsea infections in Cuban treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) invading New Orleans, USA Widespread Ranavirus and Perkinsea infections in Cuban treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) invading New Orleans, USA
Invasive species can negatively impact ecosystems in numerous ways, including vectoring pathogenic organisms. In amphibians, a lineage globally threatened by multiple pathogens, this spread of disease via invasive species could contribute to declines in native populations. The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is invasive in the southeastern USA. To assess whether O...
Authors
Net Galt, Matthew S Atkinson, Brad Glorioso, Hardin Waddle, Melanie Litton, Anna E. Savage
Enhanced between-site biosecurity to minimize herpetofaunal disease-causing pathogen transmission 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 Iredale, Michelle Christman, Jennifer M. Williams, Michael J. Adams, Jennifer R. Ballard
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) not detected in an intensive survey of wild North American amphibians 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, Michael J. Adams, Adam R. Backlin, William Barichivich, Adrianne B. Brand, Gary M. Bucciarelli, Daniel L. Calhoun, Tara Chestnut, Jon M. Davenport, Andrew E. Dietrich, Robert N. Fisher, Brad Glorioso, Brian J. Halstead, Marc P Hayes, R. Ken Honeycutt, Blake R. 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 Rowe, Walter Sadinski, Brent H. Sigafus, Iga Stasiak, Samuel Sweet, Susan C. Walls, Gregory J Watkins-Colwell, C. LeAnn White, Lori A Williams, Megan E. Winzeler
Amphibians are the most threatened groups of animals on the planet. Diseases (e.g., chytrid fungi, ranavirus, severe perkinsea infections (SPI)) are negatively impacting these species. Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Bd) was identified 15 years ago as one of the primary causes of death for many amphibians. However, the ecology and epidemiology of Bd is still being investigated. A second type of chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, Bsal) is emerging in Europe. While Bsal primarily affects salamanders, frogs can also become infected and spread this disease. SPI has been associated with large-scale frog die-offs in at least 10 states.
USGS formed the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) to lead a cooperative national effort that is monitoring amphibians and researching potential causes of decline, including disease.
Amphibian Disease Research
Amphibian Disease Research
Explore our science using the data below.
Recent publications related to USGS amphibian disease research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS amphibian disease publications is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 29
Empirical evidence for effects of invasive American Bullfrogs on occurrence of native amphibians and emerging pathogens Empirical evidence for effects of invasive American Bullfrogs on occurrence of native amphibians and emerging pathogens
Invasive species and emerging infectious diseases are two of the greatest threats to biodiversity. American Bullfrogs (Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana), which have been introduced to many parts of the world, are often linked with declines of native amphibians via predation and spreading emerging pathogens such as amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]) and...
Authors
Blake R. Hossack, Emily B Oja, Audrey K Owens, David L. Hall, Cassidi Cobos, Catherine L. Crawford, Caren S. Goldberg, Shaula Hedwell, Paige E. Howell, Julio A. Lemos-Espinal, Susan K MacVean, Magnus McCaffery, Cody Mosley, Erin L. Muths, Brent H. Sigafus, Micahel J Sredl, James C. Rorabaugh
Know what you don't know: Embracing state uncertainty in disease-structured multistate models Know what you don't know: Embracing state uncertainty in disease-structured multistate models
Hidden Markov models (HMMs) are broadly applicable hierarchical models that derive their utility from separating state processes from observation processes yielding the data. Multistate models such as mark–recapture and dynamic multistate occupancy models are HMMs frequently used in ecology. In their early formulations, states, such as pathogen infection status, were assumed to be...
Authors
Matthijs Hollanders, Andy Royle
Looking ahead, guided by the past: The role of U.S. national parks in amphibian research and conservation Looking ahead, guided by the past: The role of U.S. national parks in amphibian research and conservation
Protected areas like national parks are essential elements of conservation because they limit human influence on the landscape, which protects biodiversity and ecosystem function. The role of national parks in conservation, however, often goes far beyond limiting human influence. The U.S. National Park Service and its system of land units contribute substantively to conservation by...
Authors
Brian J. Halstead, Andrew M. Ray, Erin L. Muths, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Rob Grasso, Michael J. Adams, Kathleen Semple Delaney, Jane Carlson, Blake R. Hossack
Identifying factors linked with persistence of reintroduced populations: Lessons learned from 25 years of amphibian translocations Identifying factors linked with persistence of reintroduced populations: Lessons learned from 25 years of amphibian translocations
Conservation translocations are increasingly used to help recover imperiled species. However, success of establishing populations remains low, especially for amphibians. Identifying factors associated with translocation success can help increase efficiency and efficacy of recovery efforts. Since the 1990s, several captive and semi-captive facilities have produced Chiricahua Leopard Frogs...
Authors
Blake R. Hossack, Paige E. Howell, Audrey K Owens, C Cobos, Caren S. Goldberg, David L. Hall, Shaula Hedwall, Susi MacVean, Magnus McCaffery, A. Hunter McCall, C Mosley, Emily Bea Oja, James C. Rorabaugh, Brent H. Sigafus, Michael J Sredl
Site- and individual-level contaminations affect infection prevalence of an emerging infectious disease of amphibians Site- and individual-level contaminations affect infection prevalence of an emerging infectious disease of amphibians
Emerging infectious disease outbreaks are one of multiple stressors responsible for amphibian declines globally. In the northeastern United States, ranaviral diseases are prevalent in amphibians and other ectothermic species, but there is still uncertainty as to whether their presence is leading to population level effects. Further, there is also uncertainty surrounding the potential...
Authors
Kelly L. Smalling, Brittany A. Mosher, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Keith A. Loftin, Adam Boehlke, Michelle L. Hladik, Carly R. Muletz-Wolz, Nandadevi Cortes-Rodriguez, Robin Femmer, Evan H. Campbell Grant
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Plains Water Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, California Water Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center
Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys
Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens that have caused mortality events in amphibians worldwide. Despite the negative effects of ranaviruses on amphibian populations, monitoring efforts are still lacking in many areas, including in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America. Some PPR wetlands in Montana and North Dakota (USA) have been contaminated by energy-related saline...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Erica J Crespi, Bernardo A. Traversari, Kenzi M Stemp, Creagh W Breuner, Caren S. Goldberg, Blake R. Hossack
Acute mortality in California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) caused by Ribeiroia ondatrae (Class: Trematoda) Acute mortality in California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) caused by Ribeiroia ondatrae (Class: Trematoda)
In early September 2019, a morbidity and mortality event affecting California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) in late stages of metamorphosis was reported at a National Wildlife Refuge in Santa Cruz County, California, U.S.A. During the postmortem disease investigation, severe integumentary metacercarial...
Authors
Saskia Keller, Constance Roderick, Christopher Caris, Daniel A. Grear, Rebecca A. Cole
Evaluation of regulatory action and surveillance as preventive risk-mitigation to an emerging global amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) Evaluation of regulatory action and surveillance as preventive risk-mitigation to an emerging global amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal)
The emerging amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is a severe threat to global urodelan (salamanders, newts, and related taxa) biodiversity. Bsal has not been detected, to date, in North America, but the risk is high because North America is one of the global hotspots for urodelan biodiversity. The North American and United States response to the discovery of Bsal...
Authors
Daniel A. Grear, Brittany A. Mosher, Katherine Richgels, Evan H. Campbell Grant
Enigmatic near‐extirpation in a boreal toad metapopulation in northwestern Montana Enigmatic near‐extirpation in a boreal toad metapopulation in northwestern Montana
North America's protected lands harbor biodiversity and provide habitats where species threatened by a variety of stressors in other environments can thrive. Yet disease, climate change, and other threats are not limited by land management boundaries and can interact with conditions within protected landscapes to affect sensitive populations. We examined the population dynamics of a...
Authors
Rebecca M. McCaffery, Robin E. Russell, Blake R. Hossack
Widespread Ranavirus and Perkinsea infections in Cuban treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) invading New Orleans, USA Widespread Ranavirus and Perkinsea infections in Cuban treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) invading New Orleans, USA
Invasive species can negatively impact ecosystems in numerous ways, including vectoring pathogenic organisms. In amphibians, a lineage globally threatened by multiple pathogens, this spread of disease via invasive species could contribute to declines in native populations. The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is invasive in the southeastern USA. To assess whether O...
Authors
Net Galt, Matthew S Atkinson, Brad Glorioso, Hardin Waddle, Melanie Litton, Anna E. Savage
Enhanced between-site biosecurity to minimize herpetofaunal disease-causing pathogen transmission 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 Iredale, Michelle Christman, Jennifer M. Williams, Michael J. Adams, Jennifer R. Ballard
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) not detected in an intensive survey of wild North American amphibians 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, Michael J. Adams, Adam R. Backlin, William Barichivich, Adrianne B. Brand, Gary M. Bucciarelli, Daniel L. Calhoun, Tara Chestnut, Jon M. Davenport, Andrew E. Dietrich, Robert N. Fisher, Brad Glorioso, Brian J. Halstead, Marc P Hayes, R. Ken Honeycutt, Blake R. 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 Rowe, Walter Sadinski, Brent H. Sigafus, Iga Stasiak, Samuel Sweet, Susan C. Walls, Gregory J Watkins-Colwell, C. LeAnn White, Lori A Williams, Megan E. Winzeler