Monitoring of the patogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans within wild populations of Caudates in Croatia

Martina Ugrinovic

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Amphibians nowadays are the most endangered vertebrate group in the world. Considering the various threats that affect them, such as global climate change, pollution, invasive species, human alterations and emerging diseases, their population numbers are rapidly decreasing and causing many communities to become endangered or even extinct. One of the major threats is wildlife emerging diseases with chytridiomycosis as an impactful problem specific to amphibians worldwide. Induced by two pathogens, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), the disease had successfully spread via human pet trade. Newly discovered pathogen Bsal (originating from Asia) has caused massive losses in western European wildlife Caudata populations and the spread is continuous. In view of having a more precise picture of the pathogen’s distribution, we have conducted research on the premises of Croatia, as one of the susceptible and less monitored countries. By following standard protocols for non-invasive sampling and analysis of DNA samples, we have contributed to a better overview in the distribution of the disease and the health status of wild Caudates in these areas. Due to the current lack of Bsal presence found in Croatia, preventive measures will help to protect this highly endangered group against future infections.

Keywords

chytridiomycosis, amphibians conservation, Bsal

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 29. 6. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Ing. Jiří Vojar, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Master programme / field:
Engineering Ecology / Nature Conservation