Beyond the swab: ecosystem sampling to understand the persistence of an amphibian pathogen.

摘要: Understanding the ecosystem-level persistence of pathogens is essential for predicting and measuring host-pathogen dynamics. However, this process often masked, in part due to a reliance on host-based pathogen detection methods. The amphibian Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) B. salamandrivorans (Bsal) are global conservation concern. Despite having free-living life stages, little known about distribution these outside their hosts. We combine historic monitoring data with contemporary host- environment-based obtain estimates Bd occurrence independent host distributions. also evaluate differences filter- swab-based detection probability assess inferential arising from using different decision criteria used classify samples as positive or negative. Water filtration-based probabilities were lower than those swabs but > 10%, varied seasonally, declining early fall. criterion negative was important; more liberal yielded higher when conservative used. Different covariates important modeling detection. found evidence long-term several years after an species concern, boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas), last detected. Our work provides ecosystem, underscores importance environmental understanding mitigating disease-related threats biodiversity.