Latest Publications

Prepublication Communication of Research Results [READ] Publishing of scientific findings is central to the scientific process, and it is traditional to consider findings ‘‘provisional’’ until accepted by a peer-reviewed journal. Until publication, communication of provisional findings beyond participants in the study is typically limited. This practice helps assure scientific integrity. However, a dilemma arises when a provisional finding has urgent societal consequences that may be exacerbated by delay. This dilemma may be particularly pronounced when a discovery concerns wildlife health, which could have implications for conservation, public health (i.e., zoonoses), or domestic animal health (e.g., avian influenza).

Bsal Rapid Response Plan Now Available [DOWNLOAD]

Bsal Rapid Response Plan Template [DOWNLOAD]. This document and recommendations that follow serve as a template to be customized by any agency or institution with management jurisdiction over wild or captive amphibians, respectively, when actions in response to a disease may be warranted.

DISEASE RISK PAPER: Why you need to wear and change gloves and not co-house animals! [READ]

Bsal Task Force: 2017 Annual Report [DOWNLOAD]

Widespread occurrence of an emerging fungal pathogen in heavily traded Chinese urodelan species [DOWNLOAD]

Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans and the Risk of a Second Amphibian Pandemic. Tiffany A. Yap, Natalie Nguyen, Megan Serr, Alex Shepak, and Vance Vredenburg. DOI 10.1007/s10393-017-1278-1 [DOWNLOAD]

Swabbing for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans on Wild Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa) and Pet-Traded Amphibians on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Herpetological Review, 2017, 48(3), 564–568.[FULL PAPER]

Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans not detected in U.S. survey of pet salamanders. Blake Klocke, Matthew Becker, James Lewis, Robert C. Fleischer, Carly R. Muletz-Wolz, Larry Rockwood, A. Alonso Aguirre & Brian Gratwicke. [FULL PAPER]

Investigating amphibian and reptile mortalities: A practical guide for wildlife professionals

Trade in wild anurans vectors the urodelan pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans into Europe

Inhibition of Fungal Pathogens across Genotypes and Temperatures by Amphibian Skin Bacteria

Amphibians on the brink: Preemptive policies can protect amphibians from devastating fungal diseases (DOWNLOAD)

Bsal Workshop: Annual Meeting of Northeast PARC (Matt Gray, University of Tennessee)

Implementation of the D.C. Circuit Court Decision in United States Association of Reptile Keepers, Inc. v. Zinke, No. 15-5199 (D.C. Cir. April 7, 2017)

University of Tennessee Bsal Project

RAVON Newsletter

Herp Disease Alert System announced by The Wildlife Society

Herp Disease Alert System announced by US Forest Service

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans Surveillance in Salamanders of Southeastern Virginia, USA. Herpetological Review, 2017, 48(2), 363–365.

Gray, M. J., A. L. J. Duffus, K. H. Haman, R. N. Harris, M. C. Allender, T. A. Thompson, M. R. Christman, A. Sacerdote-Velat, L. A. Sprague, J. M. Williams, and D. L. Miller. 2017. Pathogen Surveillance in Herpetofaunal Populations: Guidance on Study Design, Sample Collection, Biosecurity, and Intervention Strategies. Herpetological Review 48:334–351

Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans is the predominant chytrid fungus in Vietnamese salamandersScientific Reports 7, Article number: 44443 (2017)doi:10.1038/srep44443

Tracking the amphibian pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans using a highly specific monoclonal antibody and lateral-flow technology. DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12464

The Bsal Annual Report 2016 is now available. You can download a copy HERE.

The global amphibian trade flows through Europe: the need for enforcing and improving legislation. Auliya, M., García-Moreno, J., Schmidt, B.R. et al. Biodivers Conserv (2016). doi:10.1007/s10531-016-1193-8

Detection of spring viraemia of carp virus in imported amphibians reveals an unanticipated foreign animal disease threat. Emerging Microbes & Infections (2016) 5, e97; doi:10.1038/emi.2016.94

Survey of Pathogenic Chytrid Fungi (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and B. salamandrivorans) in Salamanders from Three Mountain Ranges in Europe and the Americas. Parrott, J.C., Shepack, A., Burkart, D. et al. EcoHealth (2016). doi:10.1007/s10393-016-1188-7

White et al. 2016. Amphibian: a case definition and diagnostic criteria for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans Chytridiomycosis. Herpetological Review 47(2):207-209. (DOWNLOAD)

Review of the risk posed by importing Asiatic species of Caudata amphibians (salamanders and newts) into the EU (DOWNLOAD) Prepared for The European Commission, Directorate General Environment, Directorate E – Global & Regional Challenges, LIFE ENV.E.2. – Global Sustainability, Trade & Multilateral Agreements, Brussels, Belgium

Spitzen-van der Sluijs A, Martel A, Asselberghs J, Bales EK, Beukema W, Bletz MC, et al. Expanding distribution of lethal amphibian fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Europe. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016  http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2207.160109

Salamanders as injurious wildlife: What it means for salamander owners and scientists