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The occurrence of chytrid-infected and chytrid-free zones has
important implications for the movement of amphibians within
Australia. B. dendrobatidis does not have a stage
resistant to dehydration and could only be spread by
introduction of an infected amphibian to a chytrid-free area
or by release of water containing zoospores.
This may have been the reason why the zones in South Australia and southwest Western Australia developed ahead of the epidemic front. Simple disease control logic suggests that the movement of amphibians infected with the chytrid into chytrid-free areas should be restricted. Similarly Australia has a responsibility not to export B. dendrobatidis to countries that do not have this pathogen. The global records for the occurrence of chytridiomycosis are given at the amphibian diseases web site. |