Interventions for Reducing Extinction Risk in Chytridiomycosis-Threatened Amphibians

摘要: Wildlife diseases pose an increasing threat to biodiversity and are a major management challenge. A striking example of this is the emergence chytridiomycosis. Despite diagnosis chytridiomycosis as important driver global amphibian declines 15 years ago, researchers have yet devise effective large-scale responses other than biosecurity measures mitigate disease spread establishment disease-free captive assurance colonies prior or during outbreaks. We examined development actions that can be implemented after epidemic in surviving populations. developed conceptual framework with clear interventions guide experimental applied research so further extinctions species threatened by might prevented. Within our framework, there 2 approaches: reducing Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (the fungus causes chytridiomycosis) environment on amphibians capacity populations persist despite increased mortality from disease. The latter approach emphasizes mitigation does not necessarily need focus disease-associated mortality. propose promising tested based current knowledge include habitat manipulation, antifungal treatments, animal translocation, bioaugmentation, head starting, selection for resistance. Case studies where these strategies being will demonstrate their potential save critically endangered species.