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Detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Amphibians Imported into the UK for the Pet Trade

Wombwell, EL; Garner, TWJ; Cunningham, AA; Quest, R; Pritchard, S; Rowcliffe, JM; Griffiths, R; (2016) Detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Amphibians Imported into the UK for the Pet Trade. Ecohealth , 13 (3) pp. 456-466. 10.1007/s10393-016-1138-4. Green open access

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Abstract

There is increasing evidence that the global spread of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been facilitated by the international trade in amphibians. Bd was first detected in the UK in 2004, and has since been detected in multiple wild amphibian populations. Most amphibians imported into the UK for the pet trade from outside the European Union enter the country via Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC), where Bd positive animals have been previously detected. Data on the volume, diversity and origin of imported amphibians were collected for 59 consignments arriving at HARC between November 2009 and June 2012, along with a surveillance study to investigate the prevalence of Bd in these animals. Forty three amphibian genera were recorded, originating from 12 countries. It was estimated that 5000 – 7000 amphibians are imported through HARC into the UK annually for the pet trade. Bd was detected in consignments from the USA and Tanzania, in six genera, resulting in an overall prevalence of 3.6%. This suggests that imported amphibians are a source of Bd within the international pet trade.

Type: Article
Title: Detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Amphibians Imported into the UK for the Pet Trade
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1007/s10393-016-1138-4
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10393-016-1138-4
Language: English
Additional information: The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10393-016-1138-4.
Keywords: Amphibians, Pet trade, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences > Genetics, Evolution and Environment
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1482114
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