8:30 - 9:00 am | Conference Room Opens, Welcome Back   

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9:00 - 10:30 am | Reptile & Amphibian Diseases

Moderator: Dr. Thomas Edling, DVM, MSpVM, MPH

 

Amphibian Emerging Infectious Diseases: What's On The Radar?

Deanna H. (Dede) Olson, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvalis, OR

Upon recognition of globally declining amphibian populations in ~1990, contributing factors included habitat loss and degradation, chemical contamination, invasive species, overuse, and a category called ‘enigmatic declines’ – species for which causes of losses were unclear. At first, climate and UV-b radiation were examined as understudied potential threats that may contribute to enigmatic losses, but it wasn’t until the amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), was described in 1999 that emerging infectious diseases appeared on the radar for amphibian conservation. Whereas several amphibian pathogens had been known to cause mass mortality (e.g., bacterial infections such as Aeromonas hydrophila which causes red-leg syndrome; water molds such as Saprolegnia ferax associated with egg deaths) and trematodes (Ribeiroia ondatrae) were linked to malformations, the aquatic fungus Bd was identified as the likely culprit for losses in remote areas in different parts of the world such as the rain forests of Central America and Northeast Australia. As we close the 2nd decade of Bd inquiry, and the 3rd decade of addressing amphibian declines, we now recognize: 1) diseases as a dominant threat to amphibian biodiversity; 2) the complex contexts of pathogen strain, host population, and environmental conditions can affect the outcome of infection; and 3) the role of humans in disease-caused amphibian losses is significant, with inadvertent human-mediated transmission of disease-causing pathogens a current priority for management actions.

 

Ranaviruses & Bsal : Global Translocation & Emergence Through Trade

Matthew J. Gray, Center for Wildlife Health, Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

Pathogens have been linked to the declines of cold-blooded vertebrates across the globe. Ranaviruses were discovered over 50 years ago, and can infect fish, reptiles and amphibians. Transmission occurs efficiently by direct contact between animals, through water, and if animals are exposed to contaminated surfaces or substrates. Ranaviruses attack multiple organ systems, and cause a hemorrhagic disease similar to Ebola. Mortality can exceed 90% during an outbreak. Significant economic loss can occur in captive populations, hence preventing introduction is essential. Captive conditions also can facilitate genetic mixing among ranaviruses, and evolution of more virulent strains. Eight years ago a new pathogenic chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, Bsal) was discovered in Europe associated with die-offs of wild fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra). Bsal can infect frogs and salamanders, but it is most pathogenic to the latter. The pathogen infects the skin and causes necrotic ulcerations that extend through the epidermis, ultimately compromising skin function which amphibians use for osmoregulation and respiration. The pathogen is currently only known to occur in Asia (likely origin) and Europe, and it could have devastating impacts on biodiversity if it is introduced in the USA. Of the 30 North American amphibian species tested, approximately 70% became infected and 30% developed the lethal disease, chytridiomycosis. Although both pathogens are notifiable by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE), few countries (including the USA) have
regulations requiring animal health certificates for wildlife, which facilitates global transport of these and other pathogens. Pet industries can play a major role in reducing the spread of ranaviruses and chytrid fungi by purchasing animals that have been verified as negative, voluntarily quarantining imported animals, designing captive housing so that isolation is possible if an outbreak occurs, and using disinfectants known to inactivate these pathogens. This talk will discuss the history and life cycle of ranaviruses andBsal, their prevalence in international trade, treatment options for infected animals, and how pet industries can play a role in reducing the spread of these pathogens.

 

Integrating Health & Disease Monitoring to Improve Conservation of Reptiles  

Matthew C. Allender, Wildlife Epidemiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL

Deteriorating wildlife health threatens the sustainability and successfulness of conservation efforts. Hematologic, plasma biochemical, and pathogen prevalence data have been utilized as a means of determining the wellness of free-ranging reptile populations, but for the most part have not been critically evaluated. Infectious diseases have been proposed as a threat to biodiversity and affect free-ranging and captive reptiles. Upper Respiratory Tract pathogens result in significant morbidity and mortality in captive and free-ranging turtles and tortoises. Specifically, ranavirus, herpesvirus, and Mycoplasma have accounted for mortality events in US box turtle and tortoises, European tortoises, and South African tortoise. Lethal disease outbreaks have emerged across the eastern US in chelonians. Specifically, ranavirus and Mycoplasma have accounted for mortality events in box turtles and gopher tortoises in the eastern US. Moreover, herpesvirus infections have been demonstrated to be highly fatal in several captive US, European, and South African tortoise species, but its impact on other free-ranging North American chelonians is less well-described. Snake fungal disease, caused by the pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, has been diagnosed in over 20 free-ranging and captive snake species dating back to the early 2000’s. The SFD clinical syndrome associated with O. ophiodiicola results in facial swelling and disfiguration, scale discoloration, granulomas, and dysecdysis. It is clear that a multi-modal approach to disease mitigation in reptiles will help to protect captive and free-ranging species. However, a proactive approach to disease management is needed for reptiles across the globe that takes into account testing, disinfection, and appropriate quarantine.

 

Emerging & Proactive Amphibian Disease Research Within the USGS: National Scale Surveillance for Bsal & Severe Perkinsea Parasitism

Daniel A. Grear, Wildlife Disease Ecologist, USGS, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI

This presentation will briefly describe a review of 247 anuran mortality events in 43 states from 1999 –2015 and highlight a recent national-scale surveillance effort to detect the exotic fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). Our review illustrated how emerging infectious diseases such as chytridiomycosis and ranavirus infections have been important contributors to the worldwide decline of amphibian populations. Our findings also revealed that a severe infectious disease of tadpoles caused by a protist belonging to the phylum Perkinsea represents the third most common infectious disease of anurans after ranavirus infections and chytridiomycosis in the U.S. Severe Perkinsea infections were systemic and led to multiorgan failure and high mortality rates in outbreaks from Alaska to Florida. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) and Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) collaborated to collect skin swab samples from over 10,000 salamanders across the US between January 2016 and December 2017. We did not detect Bsal using a dual Bsal – Batrachochytrium dendrobatis real-time PCR assay to test for the presence of chytrid DNA. The majority of samples from
the eastern and western U.S. were eastern newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) and Pacific newts (Taricha spp.), respectively. We tested species from other salamander and anuran genera including from sites where they were opportunistically available. Our surveillance effort increases confidence thatBsal is not present in the U.S. but does not reduce future introduction risk. Continuous efforts will be necessary to (1) develop mitigation plans in the event of a Bsal introduction, (2) increase knowledge of susceptible North American species, and (3) iteratively use surveillance information to direct ongoing monitoring to decrease the probability that we incur the most severe biodiversity consequences if Bsal exists undetected or is introduced into North America.

10:35 - 12:05 pm | Reptile & Amphibian Zoonoses

Moderator: Dr. Thomas Edling, DVM, MSpVM, MPH

Pet Industry Prevention & Management of Zoonotic Illness Outbreaks
Dr. Thomas Edling, DVM, MSpVM, MPH, Edling Consulting

This presentation will provide information on zoonotic disease resources the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) has available to help understand zoonotic diseases and how to prevent them as well as protocols followed by PIJAC when an outbreak has been identified.  The zoonotic disease resources include information about zoonotic diseases commonly found in the pet industry and best management practices used by pet stores and pet industry animal breeders.  The presentation will also cover the protocols followed when a zoonotic disease outbreak has been identified in the pet industry and how PIJAC works in correlation with local, state and federal public health organizations starting with the initial investigation all the way through monitoring and remediation.  In addition, the presentation will provide specific examples of how PIJAC and public health agencies worked together to resolve zoonotic disease outbreaks.

 

Environmental Contamination with Salmonella enterica in Homes with Pet Reptiles, Minnesota 2003 - 2016 

Joni Scheftel, State Public Health Veterinarian & Supervisor of the Zoonotic Disease Unit, Minnesota Department of Health

In Minnesota, a median of 17 reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) cases are reported each year and 3.5% of salmonellosis cases can be attributed to reptiles [Whitten, 2014]. We sampled household surfaces in 16 homes of reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) cases in Minnesota to document the home environment as a potential source of Salmonella infection for RAS cases. We found Salmonella in 94% of sampled homes with reptile pets, including on common household surfaces; 16% of household surfaces tested were contaminated with Salmonella including locations in the home distant from the reptile habitat. Salmonella serotypes matching the RAS case and associated reptile by PFGE subtyping were found on 63% of Salmonella-positive household surfaces. The household environment was the most likely source of Salmonella infection in 9 (56%) RAS households in which cases denied having had direct contact with the reptile during the 7 days prior to illness onset. Four (44%) of these nine cases were under 1 year of age, lending credence to the CDC recommendation that households with children under the age of five not keep pet reptiles.

 

Reptile & Amphibian Zoonoses - Breeder Practices

John Mack, President & CEO and Laura Humphrey, Director of Operations, Reptiles By Mack

By establishing protocols for quarantine, sanitation, training, and education, breeders can promote health and safety of both people and animals. Husbandry guidelines, infection monitoring and control practices, record keeping, and a relationship with a veterinarian are all important aspects of any breeding facility. Providing education and training on zoonotic disease on both a staff level and customer level is equally as important.

 

Food and Drug Administration Product Recalls

Vic Boddie, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine

 

12:05 - 1:30 pm | Lunch Break

PLEASE NOTE: Lunch will be provided onsite. Additional lunch options are limited to the cafeteria in the NOAA building which is a 5-minute walk, and several fast-casual options which are a 15-minute walk. 

 

 

1:30 - 3:00 pm | Public-Private Herp Conservation

Moderator: Cindy Steinle

The Amphibian & Reptile Conservancy - Conserving Herps on Many Levels

Scott Hardin, on behalf of the Amphibian & Reptile Conservancy

 

Overview of the Department of Defense Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (DoD PARC) Program

Chris Petersen and Rob Lovich, Department of Defense, Partners in Amphibian Conservation National Representatives

The Department of Defense (DoD) landscape is home to a significant and diverse array of amphibians and reptiles. These species are important for several reasons: they are a part of America's natural heritage, provide valuable indicators of ecosystem health, have scientific and medicinal value, are cultural icons, and in some cases are highly imperiled and legally protected. The DoD PARC program launched in 2009 to provide leadership, guidance, and support for the conservation and management of amphibians and reptiles on DoD lands in ways that help sustain the military’s testing, training and operational mission activities. DoD PARC is voluntary, proactive, and non-regulatory, and consists of military and civilian personnel including members of regional PARC networks. This presentation will provide an overview of the DoD PARC program and talk about the goals and objectives of the group. In addition, the many products produced by this group (including the Strategic Plan for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and Management on Department of Defense Lands; photo website; webinars; training modules; and update of over 400 military installation herpetofauna species lists) will be discussed.

 

At-risk Species: Conservation on Large Private Working Forests

James F. Bullock, Senior Vice President, Forest Sustainability, Resource Management Service, LLC

Most forest land (approximately 70%) in the United States is privately owned.  This is especially true in the northeast and south where approximately 90% of all forest lands is in private ownership, including significant acreage of investment grade forestland managed by Real Estate Investment Trusts and Timber Management Organizations. It stands to reason that conservation of at-risk species, including herpetofauna species in the eastern US, will have greater success when private forestland owners are managing their forest lands in a manner that provides habitat for these species. A shared vision for conservation of herpetofauna must include collaboration and trust between private and public partners. This presentation discusses how Resource Management Service, LLC (RMS) is working to conserve at-risk species on the lands, with emphasis on two innovative initiatives.  The first is the Coastal Headwaters Longleaf Forest in lower Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, where RMS is working with numerous partners to restore up to 200,000 acres of longleaf pine as a working longleaf forest and a functional longleaf ecosystem.  The second is a national initiative where member companies of the National Alliance of Forest Owners, including RMS, are working proactively with the USFWS, state wildlife agencies, and other partners to position actively managed forests as contributing to the conservation of at-risk species, particularly species that need young forest, open canopy or riparian and aquatic habitats.

 

Public/Private Partnerships in Conservation... It's not what they think it is!

Curt Harbsmeier, Esq., Harbsmeier Law Group

What is “real” conservation?  Is it what the public thinks it is?  In all likelihood, the answer to that question is no.  This presentation will analyze various concepts associated with “conservation”, such as research, sustainable use, sustainable development, ecological restoration, captive breeding, and animal welfare.  We will highlight several joint ventures involving zoos, academia, industry, and the private sector.  And finally, we will discuss the future of collaborative efforts between zoos and the private sector. 

 

 

3:05 - 4:30 pm | Private Reptile Ownership

Moderator: Scott Hardin

The Importance of Herpetoculture in the 21st Century

Phil Goss, President, United States Association of Reptile Keepers

People who keep reptiles and amphibians are widely misunderstood, as are the animals they study, keep, and breed. Most of today’s educators, biologists, and ecologists were inspired toward their career paths through various educational animal outreach programs or their own interest in having an exotic or ectothermic pet. Herpetoculture goes far beyond the world of pets as it affects and informs many important aspects of our world, wildlife conservation, and culture.

 

Reptile Shows & the Industry - Raising Public Awareness & Perceptions of Captive Reptiles & the Hobby

Bob Ashley, National Amphibian & Reptile Breeders Conference, The Chiricahua Desert Museum

This presentation will describe the current state of public live reptile exhibitions, trade shows, expos, swaps and sales. Speaking from experience, the author will explore effects of these events on proposed reptile and amphibian regulation and legislation. In addition, the presentation will shed light on opportunities to interact with the public to increase awareness of reptiles and the issues and challenges facing the herp community.

 

Volunteer Herpetological Organizations & Their Role in the Community

Rich Crowley, President, Chicago Herpetological Society

Reptile and amphibian groups or more specifically, herpetological (herp) clubs and societies, have evolved in the last few decades. They have been centers for information exchange, social engagement, shared field activities, and even a necessary resource to local authorities and the general public. The Chicago Herpetological Society (CHS) is one of those organizations and has been around for over 50 years. Much like other non-for-profit organizations, including other herp societies, we have witnessed change over time. We saw numbers swell through years up until the 1990’s then a steady decline in membership. The level of engagement has experienced a commensurate decline over the years, primarily driven by the introduction of the Internet and the availability of information previously offered through face-to-face exchange. Interestingly, we have seen a growing demand for specialized services from both the general public and local authorities. This combination of shrinking membership with a unique demand for volunteer services is challenging us with figuring out how to adapt. The future for the CHS and other societies is largely dependent on the level of engagement by the next generation of herp enthusiasts. What I have seen so far is the level of commitment and engagement from our membership wane, as members grow distracted by other priorities. This could be associated with limited free time, commitment differences driven by generational differences, lack of access to field activities or overall changing attitudes. I will introduce the concept of a collective vision for herpetological clubs and societies to set a framework for how this role could foster partnerships with other stakeholders.

 

The Role of Reptile Rescues in the Herpetological Community

Emily Lilly, Director of Blue Ridge Reptile Rescue, Professor of Biology at the Virginia Military Institute

Reptile rescues serve important functions for both the herpetological community and for our wild reptile populations. Rescues provide shelter and adoption services, rehabilitation for animals who have been neglected by previous owners, and education to new owners. Importantly for wild populations, rescue services offer a safe place for people to leave unwanted animals, which prevents release of these animals into natural ecosystems. Rescues also provide community education regarding reptile keeping and respect for natural populations.

 

4:30pm | Closing Remarks