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 (Class: Trematoda) infection, associated with widespread skin lesions, was observed. Planorbid snails collected from the ponds of the refuge within seven days of the mortality event were infected with Ribeiroia ondatrae, a digenetic trematode that can cause malformation and death in some amphibians. We suggest sustained seasonal high-water levels due to active habitat management along with several years of increased rainfall led to increased bird visitation, increased over-wintering of snails, and prolonged salamander metamorphosis, resulting in a confluence of conditions and cascading of host-parasite dynamics to create a hyper-parasitized state.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Title | Acute mortality in California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) caused by Ribeiroia ondatrae (Class: Trematoda) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.10.008 |
| Authors | Saskia Keller, Constance Roderick, Christopher Caris, Daniel A. Grear, Rebecca A. Cole |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
| Index ID | 70225670 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | National Wildlife Health Center |
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Constance Roderick
Lead Biological Science Laboratory Technician
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Carcass weights, 28S rRNA alignment file and parasite sample vouchers collected from California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) CTS and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) SCLT from Prospect or Ellicott Pond, on E
Animal identification number, weight in grams for carcasses of California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) CTS and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) SCLT from Prospect or Ellicott Pond, on Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge, California U.S.A. submitted to U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) for determination of cause of de - Connect
Constance Roderick
Lead Biological Science Laboratory TechnicianEmailPhone