Monitoring ranavirus-associated mortality in

a Dutch heathland in the aftermath of an

outbreak

Annemarieke Spitzen – van der Sluijs1; Marja Kik2; Andrea Gröne2 ;

Jan van den Broek2; Frank Pasmans3; An Martel3; Jolianne Rijks2

1 Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation the Netherlands (RAVON)

2 Utrecht University & Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC)

3 Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Knoxville, Tennessee, USA (27 – 29 July 2013)

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Introduction

2010 Common Midwife Toad Virus (CMTV) – like virus outbreak

killed thousands Pelophylax sp. and dozens Lissotriton vulgaris (Kik

et al. 2010)

Led to many questions, including:

Will ranavirus infection be sustained in this pool?

Will we witness outbreaks in neighbouring pools in 2011?

How is the water quality, are there clear triggering factors?

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Introduction

Study aim: To document ranavirus disease spatial and temporal

patterns in the year following this mass mortality event, and to

identify possible disease enhancing factors

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Study site

National Park Dwingelderveld

3700 ha

heathland with pools, forest and

shifting sands

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Study site

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Methods

Fixed disease monitoring protocol for the ponds

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Conclusions / discussion

Continued presence in pond of 2010 outbreak, and presence in

surrounding ponds

Manifested as continuous mortality of all life stages

No clear triggering factors

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Acknowledgments

Pictures from:

www.digitalnature.org, D. Willems, J. Janse, B. Geutskens, J. de Jong, H. Sanders,

Google Earth, F. Spikmans

R. Popken & A. Donker (Natuurmonumenten)

Volunteers: D. Willems

Study funded by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs