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https://theconversation.com/we-discovered-lethal-new-fungal-diseases-in-wild-australian-reptiles-its-time-to-act-fast-275817>
"When a coastal carpet python was brought into a wildlife hospital in South
East Queensland in August 2024, vets were confronted with something they didn’t
recognise. The python had damaged scales, crusted lesions across its body and a
mysterious fungal infection that defied explanation.
When the results from skin tests came back, they revealed snake fungal disease,
caused by
Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, an emerging fungal pathogen linked to
snake declines overseas. This was the first confirmed report in free-ranging
wild Australian snakes.
In our new research, we detail this finding and two more novel fungal pathogens
detected in skin samples taken from sick reptiles. All three infections produce
disfiguring skin lesions. Two of the three new threats were not previously
known to affect wild reptiles in Australia.
This isn’t a welcome discovery. Australia is home to an extraordinary diversity
of reptiles – the highest of any country. But many species are in decline, due
to climate change, habitat loss, invasive species and urbanisation.
Fungal infections aren’t usually a problem for warm-blooded animals, as most
fungi can’t survive our high body temperatures. But for ectothermic
(cold-blooded) reptiles and amphibians, fungi can pose a devastating threat.
Chytrid fungus has triggered an ongoing wave of frog extinctions – including in
Australia. We must protect reptiles from similar threats."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
