I am part of a expedition to Amazonian Peru in the summer this year (Manu National Park). There will be approximately 100 people and a lot of moving around. I am unaware of the exact status of Chytrid in this area but I am very keen to reduce any risk of contamination, but also at the same time being as non-detrimental to the ecosystem as possible.
What would be the best method to employ? I am thinking chemical baths for boots after and before exposure to fresh water environments. But then a chemical which is Eco-friendly/biodegradable is needed.
Hi Dan,
Several options are available,and in my opinion, a bleach solution (10% for 1 h is optimal, Cashins et al.2008) will likely be your best option (and most available/transportable in Peru) to kill Bd on field boots and equipment. Granted, the wastewater bleach solution should NOT be dumped into or near a water body, where it might cause damage before the bleach degrades, and should instead be discarded on land. Several papers have been published offering disinfectant options, some of which are discussed here:
- Cashins SD, Skerratt LF, Alford RA (2008) Sodium hypochlorite denatures the DNA of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Dis Aquat Org 80:63−67.
- Webb R, Mendez D, Berger L, Speare R. Additional disinfectants effective against the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Dis. Aquat. Org. 2007;74:13-16.
We usually use Virkon as it is easy to transport in powdered form and can be mixed as needed. It also breaks down relatively quickly. It also appear to have negligible impact on the amphibians themsleves amphibians.
http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/11/11/20150874
http://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/768
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