Priorities for management of chytridiomycosis in Australia: saving frogs from extinction
Lee F. Skerratt A B , Lee Berger A B L , Nick Clemann C , Dave A. Hunter D , Gerry Marantelli E , David A. Newell F , Annie Philips G , Michael McFadden H , Harry B. Hines I , Ben C. Scheele A , Laura A. Brannelly A , Rick Speare A K , Stephanie Versteegen E , Scott D. Cashins A and Matt West J
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
B Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
C Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia.
D Ecosystems and Threatened Species, South West Region, Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, PO Box 544 Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.
E The Amphibian Research Centre, PO Box 1365, Pearcedale, Vic. 3912, Australia.
F School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157 Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
G Natural Values Conservation Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tas. 7000, Australia.
H Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
I Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing, GPO Box 2454, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia.
J Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.
K Tropical Health Solutions, PO Box 96, Malanda, Qld 4885, Australia.
L Corresponding author. Email: lee.berger@jcu.edu.au
Wildlife Research 43(2) 105-120 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR15071
Submitted: 3 April 2015 Accepted: 26 January 2016 Published: 11 April 2016
Abstract
To protect Australian amphibian biodiversity, we have identified and prioritised frog species at an imminent risk of extinction from chytridiomycosis, and devised national management and research priorities for disease mitigation. Six Australian frogs have not been observed in the wild since the initial emergence of chytridiomycosis and may be extinct. Seven extant frog species were assessed as needing urgent conservation interventions because of (1) their small populations and/or ongoing declines throughout their ranges (southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree, New South Wales), northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales), Baw Baw frog (Philoria frosti, Victoria), Litoria spenceri (spotted tree frog, Victoria, New South Wales), Kroombit tinkerfrog (Taudactylus pleione, Queensland), armoured mist frog (Litoria lorica, Queensland)) or (2) predicted severe decline associated with the spread of chytridiomycosis in the case of Tasmanian tree frog (Litoria burrowsae, Tasmania). For these species, the risk of extinction is high, but can be mitigated. They require increased survey effort to define their distributional limits and to monitor and detect further population changes, as well as well-resourced management strategies that include captive assurance populations. A further 22 frog species were considered at a moderate to lower risk of extinction from chytridiomycosis. Management actions that identify and create or maintain habitat refugia from chytridiomycosis and target other threatening processes such as habitat loss and degradation may be effective in promoting their recovery. Our assessments for some of these species remain uncertain and further taxonomical clarification is needed to determine their conservation importance. Management actions are currently being developed and trialled to mitigate the threat posed by chytridiomycosis. However, proven solutions to facilitate population recovery in the wild are lacking; hence, we prioritise research topics to achieve this aim. Importantly, the effectiveness of novel management solutions will likely differ among species due to variation in disease ecology, highlighting the need for species-specific research. We call for an independent management and research fund of AU$15 million over 5 years to be allocated to recovery actions as determined by a National Chytridiomycosis Working Group of amphibian managers and scientists. Procrastination on this issue will likely result in additional extinction of Australia’s amphibians in the near future.
Additional keywords: amphibian conservation, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, biodiversity, population declines, wildlife disease.
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