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Pathogen host switching in commercial trade with management recommendations
Angela M Picco1, Abraham P Karam, James P Collins
1School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA. Angela_Picco@fws.gov
Ecohealth
|April 23, 2010
Summary
Wildlife trade spreads pathogens. Tiger salamander ranaviruses from bait can infect fish, which may become carriers, potentially spreading disease through trade.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Pathogen transmission
- Wildlife trade
Background:
- Global wildlife trade facilitates the spread of nonindigenous species and pathogens.
- Amphibians are frequently traded for various purposes and serve as models for pathogen pollution.
- Ranaviruses, amphibian pathogens causing population die-offs, are present in the tiger salamander bait trade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for ranaviruses, specifically those found in tiger salamander bait, to infect fish.
- To understand the role of fish as potential hosts or carriers of amphibian ranaviruses in the context of trade.
Main Methods:
- Experimental injection of largemouth bass with a tiger salamander ranavirus obtained from the bait trade.
- Monitoring of largemouth bass for infection, disease signs, and mortality.
Main Results:
- Largemouth bass experimentally infected with the tiger salamander ranavirus.
- Infected fish showed no signs of disease or mortality, suggesting they may be asymptomatic carriers.
- Demonstrated the potential for ranaviruses to switch hosts from amphibians to fish.
Conclusions:
- Amphibian ranaviruses from the bait trade can infect fish.
- Fish may act as dead-end or asymptomatic hosts, potentially facilitating pathogen spread through trade.
- Highlights the ecological risk of pathogen transmission associated with wildlife trade.
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