A5059757918- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Fungal Infections and Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Gut microbiota and health
- Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Mormonism, Religion, and History
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Pancreatic function and diabetes
Radboud University Nijmegen
2022-2024
Ghent University
2013-2017
Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology
2011-2016
United States Geological Survey
2016
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
2016
James Cook University
2016
National Park Service
2016
The current biodiversity crisis encompasses a sixth mass extinction event affecting the entire class of amphibians. infectious disease chytridiomycosis is considered one major drivers global amphibian population decline and thought to be caused by single species aquatic fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. However, several declines remain unexplained, among them steep decrease in fire salamander populations (Salamandra salamandra) that has brought this edge local extinction. Here we...
Emerging infectious diseases are reducing biodiversity on a global scale. Recently, the emergence of chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans resulted in rapid declines populations European fire salamanders. Here, we screened more than 5000 amphibians from across four continents and combined experimental assessment pathogenicity with phylogenetic methods to estimate threat that this infection poses amphibian diversity. Results show B. is restricted to, but highly pathogenic for,...
Chytridiomycosis is a lethal fungal disease contributing to declines and extinctions of amphibian species worldwide. The currently used molecular screening tests for chytridiomycosis fail detect the recently described Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans. In this study, we present duplex real-time PCR that allows simultaneous detection B. salamandrivorans dendrobatidis. With dendrobatidis- salamandrivorans-specific primers probes, two pathogens in samples possible, with limit 0.1 genomic...
Emerging fungal diseases can drive amphibian species to local extinction. During 2010-2016, we examined 1,921 urodeles in 3 European countries. Presence of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans at new locations and different expands known geographic host range underpins its imminent threat biodiversity.
In the Netherlands, fire salamander ( Salamandra salamandra ) is at edge of its geographic range and restricted to three small populations in extreme south country. Despite species being listed as ‘Endangered’ on national Red List, situation was considered be stable. However, from 2008 onwards dead individuals were seen more than one occasion. A sharp decline numbers has been observed since 2010 (96%; ), but we unable attribute this any known cause amphibian decline, such chytridiomycosis,...
Abstract Conservation science can be most effective in its decision‐support role when seeking answers to clearly formulated questions of direct management relevance. Emerging wildlife diseases, a driver global biodiversity loss, illustrate the challenges performing this role: spite considerable research, successful disease mitigation is uncommon. Decision analysis increasingly advocated guide planning, but application remains rare. Using an integral projection model, we explored potential...
Unravelling the multiple interacting drivers of host–pathogen coexistence is crucial in understanding how an apparently stable state endemism may shift towards epidemic and lead to biodiversity loss. Here, we investigate apparent global amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) with Bombina variegata populations The Netherlands over a 7-year period. We used multi-season mark–recapture dataset assessed potential (individual condition, environmental mediation demographic...
Habitat anthropization is a major driver of global biodiversity decline. Although most species are negatively affected, some benefit from anthropogenic habitat modifications by showing intriguing life-history responses. For instance, increased recruitment through higher allocation to reproduction or improved performance during early-life stages could compensate for reduced adult survival, corresponding "compensatory recruitment". To date, evidence compensatory in response modification...
Abstract Background Lizards are considered zooprophylactic for almost all Borrelia burgdorferi species, and act as dilution hosts in parts of North America. Whether European lizards significantly reduce the ability B. to maintain itself enzootic cycles, consequently decrease infection rate Ixodes ricinus ticks other tick-borne pathogens Western Europe is not clear. Results Ticks were collected from sand lizards, their habitat (heath) adjacent forest. DNA was detected by PCR followed reverse...
Abstract The inconsistent distribution of large‐scale infection mediated die‐offs and the subsequent population declines several animal species, urges us to understand how, when, why species are affected by disease. It is often unclear when or under what conditions a pathogen constitutes threat host. Often, variation environmental plays role. Globally Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) causes amphibian declines; however, host responses this fungus appears equally capable reaching state...
Abstract Photographic capture–recapture is a valuable tool for obtaining demographic information on wildlife populations due to its noninvasive nature and cost‐effectiveness. Recently, several computer‐aided photo‐matching algorithms have been developed more efficiently match images of unique individuals in databases with thousands images. However, the identification accuracy these can severely bias estimates vital rates population size. Therefore, it important understand performance...
In the four years following first detection of ranavirus (genus Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae) infection in Dutch wildlife 2010, amphibian mortality events were investigated nationwide to detect, characterize and map ranaviruses amphibians over time, establish affected host species clinico-pathological presentation disease these hosts. The ultimate goal was obtain more insight into emergence ecological risk. total 155 dead from 52 sites submitted between 2011 2014, examined using...
Abstract The infectious chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans ( Bsal ) has been responsible for severe population declines of salamander populations in Europe. Serious and loss urodelan diversity may occur if appropriate action is not taken to mitigate against the further spread impact . We provide an overview several potential mitigation methods, describe their possible advantages limitations. conclude that long-term, context-dependent, multi-faceted approaches are needed...
First posted January 20, 2016 For additional information, contact: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) U.S. Geological Survey 12100 Beech Forest Road Laurel, MD 20708 https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/ And SO Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory 1 Migratory Way Turners Falls, MA 01376 The recently (2013) identified pathogenic chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), poses a severe threat to the distribution and abundance of salamanders within United States Europe. Development...
Lack of disease spill-over between adjacent populations has been associated with habitat fragmentation and the absence population connectivity. We here present a case which describes chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) two connected subpopulations fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra). Based on neutrally evolving microsatellite loci, both were shown to form single genetic cluster, suggesting shared origin and/or recent gene flow. Alpine newts (Ichthyosaura alpestris)...
Abstract Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is the cause of fungal disease chytridiomycosis, a potentially lethal skin amphibians. Asymptomatically infected amphibians may pose risk for environmental pathogen pollution. This study therefore assessed role healthy, captive as reservoir . Samples were collected from in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and France (559 anurans, 330 urodelans 4 gymnophians) private owners, zoos, laboratories. In addition to which, 78 anurans 19 living collections sampled...
Knowledge concerning microbial infectious diseases in the current amphibian crisis is rudimentary and largely limited to ranavirosis chytridiomycosis. The family Chlamydiaceae gaining attention as a common cause of disease amphibians may harbour new emerging pathogens. We identified novel species Chlamydiales (Candidatus Amphibiichlamydia ranarum) with prevalence 71% exotic invasive bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus) from an introduced population Netherlands. sequence 1474 bp 16S...
Amphibian diseases are acknowledged as significant contributors to the decline and extinction of amphib- ian species. The main culprits currently considered chytridiomycosis Ranavirus. In Central America, highly endemic geographical restricted terrestrial species may be at risk from these diseases. We collected 49 Agalychnis callidryas larvae, one Lithobates forrei five unidentified larvae on Nicaraguan Island Ometepe, all deceased, skin samples were taken. presence Ranavirus was determined...
Ophidiomyces ophidiicola is the causative agent of ophidiomycosis (also called snake fungal disease) and has been associated with mycosis in individual snakes population declines several North American species. While cases from America have numerous past two decades, reports Europe remain sparse are lacking Benelux. Between 2017 2023, sloughed skins, carcasses swabs 284 freeranging, captive introduced belonging to 22 species were screened for presence O. Netherlands. Two free-ranging barred...
Starting in 2010, rapid fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) population declines northwestern Europe heralded the emergence of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), a salamander-pathogenic chytrid fungus. Bsal poses an imminent threat to global diversity owing its wide host range, high pathogenicity, and long-term persistence ecosystems. While there is pressing need develop further research conservation actions, data limitations inherent recent pathogen obscure necessary insights into...
Abstract Novel outbreaks of emerging pathogens require rapid responses to enable successful mitigation. We simulated a 1‐day emergency meeting where experts were engaged recommend mitigation strategies for new outbreak the amphibian fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans . Despite inevitable uncertainty, suggested and discussed several possible strategies. However, their recommendations undermined by imperfect initial definitions objectives scope management. This problem is likely...