World Aquaculture Singapore 2022

November 29 - December 2, 2022

Singapore

SURVEY FOR Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis IN SINGAPORE'S WILD AMPHIBIAN POPULATIONS

Ching Biyun, Brian Tan Zi Yan, Wendy Sng Beng Guat, Michelle Ooi Siew May, Holly Joy Siow, Lin Suxian Cyrena and Wong Wai Kwan

 

Centre for Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Professional and Scientific Services, Animal and Veterinary Service, National Parks Board (NParks), 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, Singapore

 

Ching_Biyun@NParks.gov.sg

 



Global transmissions of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, also known as chytrid fungus, have been shown to coincide with expansions of international amphibian trade. This disease has caused widespread devastation to amphibian populations worldwide, but certain amphibians have shown resistance to it with high survival rates. The presence of B. dendrobatidis in local populations of wild amphibians was tested using a real-time PCR assay on swab samples obtained from individual amphibians. Following up on a previous study done in 2015, this survey was extended over various additional study sites. A total of 1105 amphibians were sampled from 2016 to 2017, out of which 38 were tested positive for B. dendrobatidis. The overall prevalence of B. dendrobatidis was estimated at 3.44%, with upper and lower 95% confidence limits of 2.52% and 4.68% respectively. No statistical difference was found between the overall Bd prevalence of amphibians surveyed in urban parks and the nature reserve. All amphibians tested positive did not show any overt disease symptoms, and the prevalence rates obtained may be representative of the endemic presence of B. dendrobatidis in local amphibian populations.