CJM 'Emerging infectious mycoses'

The Conference Jacques Monod meeting on 'Emerging Infectious Fungi' at Roscoff, Bretagne, has just occurred. Organised by Mat Fisher & Tatiana Giraud, the meeting focused on gathering the 'state of the art' together to identify common themes between the 'red' (animal) and 'green' (plant) emerging fungi. Much of what was discussed focused on the role of transcontinental vectoring of pathogens and lack of coherent biosecurity worldwide. Presentations also focused on the mechanisms that generate lineages with enhanced virulence, and ability to switch to new hosts. Ecological mechanisms allowing penetrance of novel fungi into new environments were discussed and genomic tools to track rapidly evolving lineages were detailed. From the meeting, it was clear that we have a proactive and highly knowlegeable community with the ability to speak with one voice. To prevent the further attrition of biodiversity worldwide we need to use this skill to influence those with the power to leverage changes to current practice.

UV-B lowers the prevalence of Bd infection

Spanish and UK researchers have shown that common toad tadpoles shielded from environmental UV-B radiation have a higher prevalence of infection compared to animals that were exposed to natural levels of UV-B. This association was also observed for the European midwife Alytes, where the prevalence of infection across the Iberian peninsula was inversly correlated with the intensity of natural UV-B. While it is not known why this inverse association occurs the research, published in Conservation Biology, suggests that increasing UVB may affect host behaviour, making transmission of Bd more unlikely, or may stimulate natural the antimicrobial properties of amphibians to reduce infection rates. The research illustrates the importance of considering multiple stressors when analyzing the complex ecological dynamics of infection by Bd.

Global pandemic affects amphibians – Are you ready to react?

After the publication, we received over 500 responses for the moment, most of them from France, but also from Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway and other European countries. Please, help us spreading the word about this research. The questionnaire exists in three languages

French: http://www.bd-maps.eu/survey/?lang=fr
German: http://www.bd-maps.eu/survey/?lang=de
English: http://www.bd-maps.eu/survey/

Find below the original post.

Please help our research! Currently, we have few means for treating Bd in the wild, and only an active prevention strategy can reduce the further spread of the fungus, and help save our amphibian species. In mountainous regions, walkers, hikers, naturalists, and inhabitants can intervene. Simple gestures may slow down the epidemic, but are you ready to change your habitats? Researchers need to better understand the mechanism of propagation of this pathogen. To assist this research, the RACE project collects data on hiking habits and attitude towards possible conservation measures to stop the spread of this fungus and further amphibian declines. This survey will help this group of researchers to develop mitigation and conservation strategies that are adapted to the public.

Our survey will take you only about 15 minutes and your responses are extremely important and valuable to the researchers!

Please help us and thank you by answering sincerely!
Start the survey here

Elevated temperature clears chytrid fungus infections from tadpoles of the midwife toad

A new study by Corina Geiger et al. (University of Zurich, Switzerland) that was recently published in the journal Amphibia-Reptilia shows that prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures clears chytrid fungus infection in tadpoles of the midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans).
The article is available at
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/brill/amre/2011/00000032/00000002/art00015
For PDF reprints, send a mail to benedikt.schmidt ät ieu.uzh.ch

Shiver Bd! New review on mitigation methods published

A team of amphibian conservation biologists led by Doug Woodhams (University of Zurich, Switzerland) published a review on methods how to mitigate the effects of Bd and chytridiomycosis. The review was published in the open access online journal Frontiers in Zoology:
http://www.frontiersinzoology.com/content/8/1/8/abstract

Austrian data comes online...

Marc Sztatecsny and Florian Glaser have published the first survey of Bd from Austria in the Herpetological Journal 21:87-90. 30% of sampled sites are positive for 9 species including Bombina bombina. The study detected Bd at the highest site in the European Alps to date at 1630 m a.s.l. in Alpine newts. This data is now publically available on www.bd-maps.eu and the global mapping site Bd-Maps.net

Opportunities to join RACE

If you would like to join RACE, here's an opportunity for funding! There are open calls for Marie Curie fellowships:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.PeopleDetailsCallPage&call_id=395

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.PeopleDetailsCallPage&call_id=396

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.PeopleDetailsCallPage&call_id=397

If you would like to join the RACE team, then please contact one of the RACE team leaders.

• Belgium -Dr Frank Pasmans (frank.pasmans@ugent.be)
• France - Professor Claude Miaud (claud.miaud@univ-savoie.fr), Dr Dirk Schmeller (dirk.schmeller@EcoEc-Moulis.cnrs.fr)
• Germany - Dr Klaus Henle (Klaus.Henle@ufz.de)
• Spain - Dr Jaime Bosch (bosch@mcnc.csic.es)
• Switzerland - Dr Benedikt Schmidt (benedikt.schmidt@ieu.uzh.ch) 
• UK - Dr Trent Garner (Trent.Garner@ioz.ac.uk) and Dr Matthew Fisher (matthew.fisher@imperial.ac.uk)