https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:26888 B. dendrobatidis infection, and survival were monitored at 1, 4, and 12 months. The effect of salt on the abundance of nontarget organisms was also investigated in before and after style analyses. Salinities remained constant over time with little intervention. Hosts in water bodies with 4 ppt salt had a significantly lower prevalence of chytrid infection and higher survival, following metamorphosis, than hosts in 0 ppt salt. Tadpoles in the 4 ppt group were smaller in length after 1 month in the release site than those in the 0 and 2 ppt groups, but after metamorphosis body size in all water bodies was similar . In water bodies with 4 ppt salt, the abundance of dwarf tree frogs (Litoria fallax), dragonfly larvae, and damselfly larvae was lower than in water bodies with 0 and 2 ppt salt, which could have knock-on effects for community structure. Based on our results, salt may be an effective field-based B. dendrobatidis mitigation tool for lentic amphibians that could contribute to the conservation of numerous susceptible species. However, as in all conservation efforts, these benefits need to be weighed against negative effects on both target and nontarget organisms.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:41:41 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:26628 Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been a major contributing factor to the global decline of amphibians. Knowledge of the distribution of B. dendrobatidis can contribute to understanding patterns of species decline and prioritizing action. Therefore, we surveyed four spatially distinct populations of a B. dendrobatidis susceptible species, the green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea), for evidence of infection in the population. Three mainland populations were infected at a prevalence of 3.5-28.3 %, with median infection loads of 0.28-627.18 genomic equivalents (GE). Conversely, we did not detect infection in an island population 3 km from the mainland; the isolation and infrequent visitation of the island suggests that the pathogen has not arrived. Management actions for B. dendrobatidis and conservation of susceptible frog species are heavily dependent on the presence and absence of the pathogen in the population. Prevention of the accidental introduction of B. dendrobatidis and safe guarding genetic diversity of L. aurea is necessary to preserve unique diversity of the island population, whereas containment and control of the pathogen can be directed towards mainland populations. Knowledge of disease dynamics also provides a context to understand the ecology of remaining populations as variation in the physiology or habitat of the mainland populations have facilitated persistence of these populations alongside B. dendrobatidis. Other islands should be a priority target in disease surveillance, to discover refuges that can assist conservation.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:26:48 AEDT ]]>