Prevalence of <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> in Amphibians in Northwestern Italy’s Protected Areas
Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> (Bd), is a significant threat to global amphibian populations, leading to widespread declines and extinctions. In the spring of 2023, Bd presence was detected in different amphibian species within two protected...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Arianna Meletiadis Matteo Riccardo Di Nicola Stefano Bovero Marco Favelli Marzia Pezzolato Stefania Grella Giusi Rezza Pier Luigi Acutis |
| author_facet | Arianna Meletiadis Matteo Riccardo Di Nicola Stefano Bovero Marco Favelli Marzia Pezzolato Stefania Grella Giusi Rezza Pier Luigi Acutis |
| author_sort | Arianna Meletiadis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> (Bd), is a significant threat to global amphibian populations, leading to widespread declines and extinctions. In the spring of 2023, Bd presence was detected in different amphibian species within two protected areas near Turin, Piedmont, Italy, following an unusual mortality event among the common toad (<i>Bufo bufo</i>). Histological and molecular analyses confirmed Bd infection in a deceased <i>Pelophylax</i> sp. specimen, prompting further investigation. Sampling of 166 individuals across seven amphibian taxa revealed an overall Bd occurrence of 38.6%, with <i>Pelophylax</i> sp. showing the highest detection rate (50.5% of 93 individuals). A marked difference in the positivity rate was observed between the two locations, with La Mandria (67.2% of 58) exhibiting significantly higher rates than Vauda (22.9% of 35). While Bd was identified in the sampled amphibians, the exact cause of the observed mortality remains unclear and may involve other pathogens or multifactorial causes, including but not limited to Bd. These findings represent the first documented case of Bd presence in Piedmont after an 18-year gap, highlighting the potential influence of local environmental factors on infection dynamics. The study emphasises the need for expanded, standardised field sampling and further investigation into the various factors affecting amphibian health to guide conservation efforts for vulnerable amphibian species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-97f661da227c46128bf6cb0fb235f69c |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-97f661da227c46128bf6cb0fb235f69c2025-01-24T13:17:48ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115215710.3390/ani15020157Prevalence of <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> in Amphibians in Northwestern Italy’s Protected AreasArianna Meletiadis0Matteo Riccardo Di Nicola1Stefano Bovero2Marco Favelli3Marzia Pezzolato4Stefania Grella5Giusi Rezza6Pier Luigi Acutis7Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, ItalyN.G.O. Zirichiltaggi Sardinia Wildlife Conservation, 07100 Sassari, ItalyN.G.O. Zirichiltaggi Sardinia Wildlife Conservation, 07100 Sassari, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, ItalyEnte di Gestione delle Aree Protette dei Parchi Reali, Via Carlo Emanuele II, 256, 10078 Venaria Reale, ItalyEnte di Gestione delle Aree Protette dei Parchi Reali, Via Carlo Emanuele II, 256, 10078 Venaria Reale, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, ItalyChytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> (Bd), is a significant threat to global amphibian populations, leading to widespread declines and extinctions. In the spring of 2023, Bd presence was detected in different amphibian species within two protected areas near Turin, Piedmont, Italy, following an unusual mortality event among the common toad (<i>Bufo bufo</i>). Histological and molecular analyses confirmed Bd infection in a deceased <i>Pelophylax</i> sp. specimen, prompting further investigation. Sampling of 166 individuals across seven amphibian taxa revealed an overall Bd occurrence of 38.6%, with <i>Pelophylax</i> sp. showing the highest detection rate (50.5% of 93 individuals). A marked difference in the positivity rate was observed between the two locations, with La Mandria (67.2% of 58) exhibiting significantly higher rates than Vauda (22.9% of 35). While Bd was identified in the sampled amphibians, the exact cause of the observed mortality remains unclear and may involve other pathogens or multifactorial causes, including but not limited to Bd. These findings represent the first documented case of Bd presence in Piedmont after an 18-year gap, highlighting the potential influence of local environmental factors on infection dynamics. The study emphasises the need for expanded, standardised field sampling and further investigation into the various factors affecting amphibian health to guide conservation efforts for vulnerable amphibian species.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/157animal diseasesAnuranschytridiomycosisemerging infectious diseasesEIDsLa Mandria |
| spellingShingle | Arianna Meletiadis Matteo Riccardo Di Nicola Stefano Bovero Marco Favelli Marzia Pezzolato Stefania Grella Giusi Rezza Pier Luigi Acutis Prevalence of <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> in Amphibians in Northwestern Italy’s Protected Areas Animals animal diseases Anurans chytridiomycosis emerging infectious diseases EIDs La Mandria |
| title | Prevalence of <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> in Amphibians in Northwestern Italy’s Protected Areas |
| title_full | Prevalence of <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> in Amphibians in Northwestern Italy’s Protected Areas |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> in Amphibians in Northwestern Italy’s Protected Areas |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> in Amphibians in Northwestern Italy’s Protected Areas |
| title_short | Prevalence of <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> in Amphibians in Northwestern Italy’s Protected Areas |
| title_sort | prevalence of i batrachochytrium dendrobatidis i in amphibians in northwestern italy s protected areas |
| topic | animal diseases Anurans chytridiomycosis emerging infectious diseases EIDs La Mandria |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/157 |
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