Meeting Abstract
Amphibian pathogens are contributing to the global decline and extinction of many species, and are thus a significant potential threat. Variation in environmental conditions may influence either pathogen presence or susceptibility of amphibians to pathogen infection. Very little is known about how environmental factors may influence Ranavirus (Iridoviridae), a virus affecting aquatic ectothermic vertebrates. It is hypothesized that water quality, landscape characteristics, habitat characteristics, and the community of amphibian species present can potentially affect either presence of the disease or amphibian susceptibility to disease. In studies conducted in 2013 and 2014 (Smith et al. unpub.), Ranavirus presence/absence and prevalence (% of individuals testing positive) varied among 17 vernal pool sites in northern New Jersey, and we used this existing variation to evaluate the effects of biotic and abiotic factors that we hypothesized might influence Ranavirus distribution. We measured water quality, landscape and pool characteristics, extent and type of human activity, and amphibian species present. We also tested for presence of Ranavirus and documented two apparent outbreaks of disease in 2015. Disease presence/absence and prevalence were not consistent within sites from year to year, making correlations with static environmental factors difficult to ascertain. If environmental predictors of Ranavirus infection can be determined, it may be possible to predict habitats more likely to be susceptible to Ranavirus outbreaks and potentially prioritize management activities to reduce the impact of Ranavirus. Research supported by the MSU CSAM Science Honors Innovation Program, MSU PSE&G Institute for Sustainability Studies, and NJ DEP Conserve Wildlife Matching Fund.
