Effektiwiteit van die produk F10 teen Chytrid-fungus by amfibieë : referaatopsomming

Efficacy of the product F10 against amphibian chytrid fungus Outbreaks of pathogens that threaten both humans and nature have increased in recent years. Infectious and transmittable diseases, such as chytridiomycosis, caused by the emerging pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has been identified as one of the most important drivers of the current decline in amphibian numbers. This pathogen has spread globally and is not only responsible for the declines in amphibian population numbers, but also for the extinction of species in several countries. As part of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, the IUCN recommended ex situ breeding of amphibian species to try and stem the global loss of amphibian species. Due to chytridiomycosis being one of the most eminent threats for amphibians, it poses an additional threat for the ex situ breeding plan. There is therefore a need for safe and effective measures to treat chytridiomycosis, especially in breeding programs for endangered species. F10 (Health and Hygiene) is a veterinary antiseptic that is known to be 100% effective in killing chytrid cultures in vitro. Before any chemical treatment can be applied the efficacy of F10 has to be determined to establish if F10 can be effectively applied across different amphibian species and across different life stages. We propose to develop a treatment protocol for F10 for the effective treatment of amphibian chytridiomycosis. Tadpoles of Amietophrynus gutturalis were exposed to different concentrations of F10 for different time intervals to determine survival rate. Survival of chytrid fungal zoospores was determined in the presence of F10. The results obtained showed survival of tadpoles at a 1:10 000 concentration of F10 for 30 min, but only for 30 s to 3 min at a 1:3000 concentration, which makes it impractical to implement. Furthermore, the in vitro tests showed that the zoospores died after 10 min at a 1:10 000 concentration and 30 min at a 1:15 000 concentration. The successful treatment of tadpoles will increase the species chance for survival, as the pathogen will be eradicated before the tadpole metamorphoses and reaches the disease-susceptible life stage. By establishing a partnership between the industry, academic and zoo or wildlife communities we hope to maximise the likelihood of implementing this program in the future and thus ensuring long term sustainability.