There is increasing evidence for the role humans may play in the transport and transmission of herpetofaunal pathogens.
This is especially true for emerging infectious diseases caused by the fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal). Having simple processes for context-specific rapid risk assessments for standard or enhanced biosecurity across disciplines and field work could minimize anthropogenic influences on disease dynamics. Researchers examined factors that contribute to human-mediated herpetofaunal pathogen transmission risk between sites during field work. They identified site conditions that correspond to high risk for pathogen movement to or from a site, using biotic and abiotic criteria, to guide enhanced biosecurity procedures that forestall human-mediated pathogen transmission.
Haman, K.H., Olson, D.H., Gray, M.J., Harris, R.N., Thompson, T., Iredale, M., Christman, M., Williams, J., Adams, M.J., Ballard, J.R., 2021, Enhanced Between-Site Biosecurity to Minimize Herpetofaunal Disease-Causing Pathogen Transmission: Herpetological Review, v. 52, no. 1, p. 29-39, https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70222102.
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Herpetological Research Team (FRESC)
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Herpetological Research Team (FRESC)
The Herpetological Research Team focuses on issues related to conservation and management of amphibians and other aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Among our current studies are effects of invasive species, disease, and land use change on the dynamics of amphibian communities to inform conservation and management decision making. - Partners
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