Bad news: Chytrid fungus in Greece

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Bad news: Chytrid fungus in Greece

Postby Ilias Strachinis » Mon Apr 06, 2015 10:52 pm

The Hellenic Herpetological Society (Societas Hellenica Herpetologica) was recently informed by the colleagues P. Azmanis, I. Strachinis, R. Marschang and P. Lymperakis for the presence of the highly infectious fungus Batrachochytrium dendobatidis, in amphibian populations sampled in Thrace (Vistonida lake) and western Peloponese (Strofylia lagoon). The respected fungus is responsible for the death and total extinction of many amphibian species in the world. Since its first detection in 1998, has spread globally threatening many amphibian populations. Despite the fact that the presence of the fungus is well-known in Europe, this is the first report of the fungus in Greece and soon will be published (Azmanis et al in prep.). Since the field study is still in progress, in order to address the occurrence and distribution of the chytrid-fungi in Greece, the presence of the fungus in other wetlands and amphibian population in Greece cannot be excluded.
The fungus has high mortality, transmissibility and pathogenicity and therefore can pose a threat for many fragile amphibian populations (anuran and urodela). An adequate cure has not yet been detected and therefore the only effective measure is the prevention of its spread.

In case you detect dead amphibians please contact with us.

Please help us prevent its spread by applying the following guidelines:

Biosecurity guidelines approaching water surfaces for capture and sampling of amphibians

A “site” in this section refers to an amphibian breeding site separated from others by more than 1km. The basis of this definition is that if you are doing work on several ponds all within 1km of each other, you are unlikely to spread infection beyond the areas it already occurs, or could occur.

>>>> General guidance <<<<

• Limit your visits in wetlands to the minimum number
• Do not catch, handle or transfer amphibians without scientific purpose
• Containers and equipment used should be disinfected between each site sampled.
• If entering the water, footwear should be washed & disinfected (see guidance below) immediately after the site visit. If you do not enter the water, there is no need to disinfect footwear.
• Although there is no evidence of the spread of Bd by vehicles, it is good practice to park on hard standing (rather than vegetated areas) and walk to the pond.
• Dead/sick amphibians should be regarded as a high infection risk and not touched unless you have agreed collection

Activity or way of working

Footwear to be disinfected between sites. Consider allocating each set of field gear to a particular site within a season, rather than selecting from a common set used at many different sites. Where appropriate, consider having two sets of field gear, so that one can be in the disinfection and drying process while the other is in use.

Avoid translocating (moving) amphibians.

Fieldwork at sites supporting non-native amphibian species. Take particular care to avoid capturing and moving non-native amphibians. Clean and disinfect footwear immediately after site visit.

>>>> Disinfection procedure <<<<

• Disinfect boots, waders, nets, bottle-traps, canes, and anything else that would be in contact with amphibians or pond water. When disinfecting gear during fieldwork the following will be required: bucket, brush, disinfectant, disposable or washing up gloves (to wear while disinfecting), bin bags for waste. Note that when making up bleach or Virkon solutions, pond water can be used so long as it contains little or no organic matter (as this reduces disinfectant effectiveness). • Follow this procedure: o Use a brush to scrub off any debris, plant fragments, mud etc o Rinse with water (pond water will suffice) o Disinfect using one of the following methods:

• Soak in a bleach solution (1 measure of household bleach to 9 measures water) for 15 minutes; • OR Virkon (10 mg/ml, as per suppliers instructions) for 1 minute; • OR Fabrics including those worn while doing amphibian fieldwork can be washed on a 40oC cycle (with detergent, ensuring sufficient rinsing). Nets should be boiled for 10 minutes or if the fabric allows disinfected with spray bleach in a well ventilated area.

o Rinse with clean water and if possible allow to dry for before next use. o Keep field gear (traps, net frames etc) inside plastic bags during transit and storage to reduce the chance of transmitting chytrid.

• Ideally all used disinfectant solutions should be poured directly into a sink/drain and flushed with clean water. In the field, pour onto an area of hard-standing, or similar unvegetated area well away from the pond. Used gloves can be disposed

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Ilias Strachinis
 
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Re: Bad news: Chytrid fungus in Greece

Postby Rémon ter Harmsel » Wed Apr 08, 2015 12:45 pm

Sad news Ilias. Any idea where the fungus come from yet, or is that still under investigation?
With the Peloponnese being a popular herp-destination, risk of spreading further is possible...
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Re: Bad news: Chytrid fungus in Greece

Postby Mario Schweiger » Thu Apr 09, 2015 8:05 am

Just a side note:
Colleagues, on their trip to Iraq-Kurdistan found a population of Neurergus crocatus near Aqra, also infected by Ranavirus!
No idea, from where this virus came to this area :oops:

Mario
Mario (Admin)

Please visit also my personal Herp-site vipersgarden.at
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Re: Bad news: Chytrid fungus in Greece

Postby Ilias Strachinis » Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:35 am

We don't know much yet, we just took some few samples to have a general view. We search for Bd, Bs and ranavirus. Now we keep taking samples at all popular areas for birdwatchers and herpers. No ranavirus found yet.
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Re: Bad news: Chytrid fungus in Greece

Postby Ilias Strachinis » Wed Jan 13, 2016 1:06 am

Bd also found on Crete and Ismarida lake so far :(
More sampling in a few months...
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Re: Bad news: Chytrid fungus in Greece

Postby Jeroen Speybroeck » Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:01 am

Ilias Strachinis wrote:Bd also found on Crete and Ismarida lake so far :(
More sampling in a few months...


Just a thought.

Is this surprising? Isn't Bd practically everywhere in Europe? With bull frogs on Crete, it would be a miracle not to have it. That does not mean it causes population declines, though. Bsal, that's a different ball game, though.
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Re: Bad news: Chytrid fungus in Greece

Postby Ilias Strachinis » Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:56 am

Yes I agree. We didn't find it everywhere though. And yes, it seems to me there is some kind of tolerance, we spot it in very dense populations. But one have to survey more to be sure that this is the case.
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Re: Bad news: Chytrid fungus in Greece

Postby Jeroen Speybroeck » Wed Jan 13, 2016 11:19 am

Ilias Strachinis wrote:Yes I agree. We didn't find it everywhere though. And yes, it seems to me there is some kind of tolerance, we spot it in very dense populations. But one have to survey more to be sure that this is the case.


OK, thanks!
(I didn't mean literally 'everywhere', of course.)
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