The role of introduced species and environmental change in the spread and impacts of an emerging global amphibian pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

新出现的传染病对生物多样性和人类健康构成严重威胁。了解疾病出现的原因、确定传播媒介和评估控制传播和致病性的因素现在已成为紧迫的研究重点。1998年首次发现，由壶菌病引起的壶菌病是一种新出现的疾病，与欧洲、北美、中南美洲和澳大利亚两栖动物数量的灾难性下降有关。我们2005年的试点项目在温哥华岛发现了这种疾病。此外，被认为是石斛石螨重要传播媒介的美洲牛蛙（Rana catesbeiana）已在该省广泛引进，并正在扩大其传播范围。在加拿大西部，有潜在的影响濒临灭绝和受威胁的两栖动物，如北方豹蛙，俄勒冈斑点蛙和西部蟾蜍。我们对

Emerging infectious diseases pose a serious threat to both biodiversity and human health. Understanding the reasons for disease emergence, identifying the vectors of spread and assessing factors that govern transmission and pathogenicity have now become urgent research priorities. First recognized in 1998, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis caused chytridiomycosis is an emerging disease that has been implicated in catastrophic declines of amphibians in Europe, North America, Central and South America, and Australia. Our pilot project in 2005 detected this disease on Vancouver Island. In addition, the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), which is believed to be an important vector of B. dendrobatidis dispersal, has been widely introduced in the province and is expanding its range. In western Canada there is potential impact on endangered and threatened amphibians such as the Northern Leopard Frog, Oregon Spotted Frog, and Western Toad. Little is known about