June 10, 2014

Killer ranavirus threatens frogs, turtles in Delaware and more wildlife health news

TOP STORIES

Scientists still puzzled over cause of elk hoof disease

Scientists researching the cause of elk hoof disease in Southwest Washington have more questions than answers about the condition that causes the animals to limp in pain.... At meetings and in publications, WDFW has indicated that researchers believe the disease is caused by the treponeme bacteria, which has been linked to hoof disease in cows and sheep in many parts of the world.

The Longview Daily News
07 Jun 2014
T Paulu



Parasites fail to halt European bumblebee invasion of the UK

A species of bee from Europe that has stronger resistance to parasite infections than native bumblebees has spread across the UK, according to new research. The study shows that tree bumblebees have rapidly spread despite them carrying high levels of an infection that normally prevents queen bees from producing colonies. The species arrived in the UK from continental Europe 13 years ago and has successfully spread at an average rate of nearly 4,500 square miles -- about half the size of Wales -- every year.

Science Daily
03 Jun 2014


Cited Journal Article
Catherine M. Jones, Mark J. F. Brown. Parasites and genetic diversity in an invasive bumblebee. Journal of Animal Ecology, 2014; DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12235


Killer ranavirus threatens frogs, turtles in Delaware

A virus partially blamed for a worldwide amphibian decline has made its way to Delaware and the region, killing tadpoles and raising fears it will spread to reptile species.

The ranavirus, a type of virus that affects cold-blooded species, has been found in wood frog tadpoles in all of Delaware's counties and eight in Maryland. And there is concern it could impact iconic reptile species like the Eastern box turtle or endangered species like the bog turtle.

USA Today
02 Jun 2014
M Murray



OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
Chronic Wasting Disease
Fish Die-Offs

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