Amphibian diseases Image © Froglife 1

Infectious diseases in amphibians Image ©ZSL Ranavirus Tony Kelly As we have seen with finch trichomonosis, infectious diseases can indeed be a conservation issue by causing a species decline. In amphibians in GB, there is also a condition that causes local population declines in common frog populations – ranavirus infection. Another disease with striking symptoms is caused by ranid herpesvirus and leads to skin lesions that look like candle wax droplets on the skin. These typically occur during the spring months. We know relatively little about this condition but it does not appear to cause severe problems to the frogs affected, in fact we believe they may sometimes recover. The fungal infection, Bd, has caused severe population declines and extinctions of multiple amphibians worldwide. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Ranid herpesvirus BTO Garden BirdWatch 2

GB? New threats? All B. sal PCR-negative Never release (exotic or native) amphibians from captivity into the wild. Do not transfer wild amphibians between sites Report wild amphibian mortality incidents to Garden Wildlife Health project for investigation. Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans Tony Kelly GB? A new chytrid fungus called salamander chytrid, or “Bsal”, has recently been discovered which is causing mass mortalities of fire salamanders in continental Europe, especially the Netherlands. We know it is present in amphibians in captivity in GB but believe that it is not yet present in the wild. We believe that the great crested newt may be susceptible to fatal disease with this fungus. For this reason, we are particularly keen to hear of any reports of sick or dead newts and prioritise testing for the fungus, to help provide an early warning system. All B. sal PCR-negative BTO Garden BirdWatch 3

Non-infectious diseases in amphibians Image ©ZSL Mortality during breeding season “Winterkill” Image ©ZSL Tony Kelly Here are some other common non-infectious causes of mortality in amphibians in the country that are frequently reported to GWH. Otter predation BTO Garden BirdWatch 4

Hedgehogs in GB BTO Garden BirdWatch Image © Mike Toms, BTO 5 Tony Kelly BTO Garden BirdWatch 5

Hedgehogs British hedgehogs are in decline Remains unknown as to whether disease is implicated Lack of data on free-living hedgehog health Your reports can help us to learn more www.gardenwildlifehealth.org Image © Nigel Reeve Tony Kelly GB’s hedgehogs are in decline - it is estimated that we have lost approximately 30% of our hedgehog population in recent decades. We see a wide variety of conditions affecting hedgehogs e.g. salmonellosis, ringworm, lungworm parasites, winter starvation. Our aim is to learn whether these conditions, or pollutants (e.g. rodenticides, slug pellets), may be contributing to the species decline. BTO Garden BirdWatch 6