A virulent clone of Devriesea agamarum affects endangered Lesser Antillean iguanas (Iguana delicatissima)

Tom Hellebuyck,An Martel,Karl Questel,Pascal Philip,Leen Van Brantegem,Frank Pasmans

doi:10.1038/s41598-017-11874-x

Abstract

Infectious diseases affecting wildlife are drivers of global biodiversity loss. Here we report a bacterial threat to endangered wild reptiles. Since April 2011, a severe skin disease has affected free-ranging, endangered Lesser Antillean iguanas (Iguana delicatissima) on the French Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy and we identified Devriesea agamarum as the causative agent. The presence of this bacterium was also demonstrated in healthy lizards (anoles) co-inhabiting the island. All isolates from the iguanas corresponded to a single AFLP genotype that until now has exclusively been associated with infections in lizard species in captivity. The clonal relatedness of the isolates and recent emergence of the disease suggest recent arrival of a virulent D. agamarum clone on the island. The presence of healthy but infected lizards suggests the presence of asymptomatic reservoir hosts. This is the first description of a bacterial disease that poses a conservation threat towards free-ranging squamates.

Highlights

The current global sixth extinction wave affects reptiles, with an estimated 19% of all reptiles considered threatened[1]
We report the association of Devriesea agamarum infection with skin disease in a free-ranging population of Iguana delicatissima on Saint Barthélemy
Whitish, small colonies surrounded by a narrow zone of hemolysis was observed following culturing of skin biopsies and skin lesion swabs from all affected I. delicatissima

Summary

Introduction

The current global sixth extinction wave affects reptiles, with an estimated 19% of all reptiles considered threatened[1]. Habitat destruction, hunting and introduction of invasive competitive species, especially the green iguana (I. iguana), have caused a massive decline of the overall population and have driven certain island populations to extirpation during the last decade[6]. The Lesser Antillean Iguana is considered endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/10800/0). Large nodules located at the axillary (Fig. 1) and inguinal region undoubtedly interfered with the ability to show normal foraging and feeding behavior and were considered to have caused a terminal disease state or death in the affected iguanas.

Methods

Results

Conclusion