Threat Abatement Plan for Infection of amphibians with chytrid fungus resulting in chytridiomycosis
Action group 3.1 - Develop diagnostic toAction group 3.1 - Develop diagnostic tools
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Action group 3.1 - Develop diagnostic tools
Action 3.1.1: Trial the real-time PCR test for chytridiomycosis in a field situation and compare for sensitivity against the histological examination of toe clips (Category 1).
Action 3.1.2: Evaluate pooling samples as a cost effective technique for surveying large numbers of animals using the real-time PCR test, with subsequent testing of individual samples in positive pools (Category 1).
Action 3.1.3: Determine the sensitivity of using tadpoles for surveying for chytridiomycosis and compare with surveys using adults and juveniles in the same population (Category 1).
Action 3.1.4: Develop an effective tool for studying B. dendrobatidis in the environment to improve the understanding of the biology and occurrence of the amphibian chytrid in the environment. The most promising is the real-time PCR test currently being developed by AAHL (Category 1).
Action 3.1.5: Develop criteria for a wide-scale survey protocol applicable at the national level and carry out a survey in chytridiomycosis-free and chytrid-contaminated areas (Category 1).
Action 3.1.6: Develop a rapid in-field test to detect chytridiomycosis in amphibians at a high specificity and sensitivity for use in surveys to determine distribution of chytridiomycosis (Category 3).
Action 3.1.7: Establish a national quality accredited laboratory dedicated to the diagnosis of chytridiomycosis to facilitate the rapid detection of B. dendrobatidis using PCR (Category 4).
Action group 3.2 – Research epidemiology, transmission and dispersal
Action 3.2.1: Undertake research to answer questions about B. dendrobatidis in the environment with priority on the questions below (Category 1):
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Does B. dendrobatidis exist as a free-living organism in suitable habitats, particularly natural water bodies and moist substrate? -
Can detection of B. dendrobatidis be used as a technique to map contaminated and chytridiomycosis-free areas? -
How do environmental characteristics of natural water bodies (pH, pO2, ion content, nitrate, organic content) and weather (temperature, rainfall) affect the biology and survival of B. dendrobatidis? -
What density of zoospores in natural water bodies can infect susceptible species of amphibians? -
Does the density of zoospores in natural water bodies correlate with intensity of infection of amphibian populations living in those water bodies, and with the level of clinical chytridiomycosis? Can the density of zoospores in natural water bodies be used to predict periods of high risk for amphibian populations?