Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Amphibians are threatened globally and emerging diseases are some of the most important drivers of their catastrophic situation. There is increasing evidence that the international trade in live amphibians is one of the most important mechanisms driving pathogen pollution. Here, we report the presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Ranavirus in 11% of tested individuals in legal amphibian trade fairs in Spain. Although none of the Bd infected animals in trade fairs presented disease symptoms, symptoms of ranavirosis were observed in some specimens, which were nonetheless still offered for sale. None of the traders who were selling infected animals showed interest in engaging in collaboration to control infections when offered for free. In addition, a large private urodele collection confiscated by the police in Barcelona comprised a number of illegally wild-caught species. Many confiscated individuals presented signs of poor welfare and several were positive for Bd. Our results indicate the urgent need for implementation of real sanitary regulations or effective legislation governing the practice of trade in living amphibians to prevent pathogen spread in Europe.
Authors: Thumsová, Barbora, Bosch, Jaime, Martínez-Silvestre, Albert
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3203545361