Taxonomy
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of High Impact
Irish status
Absent
Introduction pathways - 1
Transport Contaminant
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Parasites on animals
Invasive score
21
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
A fungus it is an external parasite of amphibians. Clinical signs in Australian frogs with chytridiomycosis were lethargy, loss of appetite, skin discolouration, presence of excessive sloughed skin, and sitting unprotected during the day with hind legs held loosely to the body (Berger et al., 1999). Positive identification of the fungus requires specialist skills.
Ecology
Low host specificity it infects at least 14 families and over 100 species of amphibians (Cunningham et al., 2005). Potential to decimate Irish amphibian populations.
Reproduction
Flagellated (tailed) zoospores of Batrachochytrium are waterborne, can live for over 24 hours and are infective to frogs and tadpoles (Berger et al., 1999).
Pathway and vector description
Likely to be introduced with amphibian species, such as Alytes obstetricans, Xenopus laevis or Rana catesbeiana.
Mechanism of impact
Parasitism
Habitat description
Ectoparasite on amphibians.
Species group
Invertebrate
Native region
Unknown
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Native distribution
Not established conclusively established where the species is native to. Only described in 1998 there are three theories surrounding its origin and effects (in increasing order of likelihood) 1) Unlikely - Widespread globally and the regions affected and the amphibian deaths and declines attributed to it have only recently been discovered, i.e. unrecorded; 2) Possible - Widespread globally and endemic and has recently become pathogenic, i.e. something has changed in the disease or the environment to make the disease more effective or the amphibians more susceptible to the disease, or 3) Possible - Only recently been introduced into new areas, with a likely source South Africa, or less likely Japan (Berger et al., 1999; Cunningham et al., 2005, Daszak et al., 1999).
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
Report any sightings of dead or diseased frogs to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Do not allow non-native amphibian species to be introduced into the wild.
Further information
Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the SSC- Species Survival Commission of the IUCN -International Union for Conservation Nature 100 Worst Invaders globally. Delivering Alien Invasive Species In Europe (DAISIE) project list this species as one of its 100 worst invaders.
References
Publications
Daszak, P., Berger, L., Cunningham, A. A., Hyatt, A. D., Green, D. E., & Speare, R. (1999). Emerging infectious diseases and amphibian population declines. Emerging infectious diseases, 5(6), 735. Fisher, M. C., & Garner, T. W. (2007). The relationship between the emergence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, the international trade in amphibians and introduced amphibian species. Fungal Biology Reviews, 21(1), 2-9. Berger, L., Speare, R., & Hyatt, A. (1999). Chytrid fungi and amphibian declines: overview, implications and future directions. Declines and disappearances of Australian frogs. Environment Australia, Canberra, 1999, 23-33. Cunningham, A. A., Garner, T. W. J., Aguilar-Sanchez, V., Banks, B., Foster, J., Sainsbury, A. W., Perkins, M., Walker, S.F., Hyatt, A.D., & Fisher, M. C. (2005). Emergence of amphibian chytridiomycosis in Britain. Veterinary Record, 157(13), 386.
Relevant links
Global Invasive Species Database
BD-Maps - A project for mapping the global spread of the species