Projects / Programmes
EMERGING MICROBIAL THREATS TO ENDEMIC TROGLOBIOTIC AMPHIBIAN Proteus anguinus
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.03.01 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biology |
Zoology and zoophysiology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B230 |
Biomedical sciences |
Microbiology, bacteriology, virology, mycology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.06 |
Natural Sciences |
Biological sciences |
Proteus, microbial infections, fungi, bacteria, viruses, chytridiomycosis
Researchers (13)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Proteus anguinus is an endemic cave amphibian with a number of extraordinary characteristics that make it a highly interesting object of scientific research. It shows exceptional adaptations to life in the cave environment, including the absence of pigmentation, blindness, slow metabolism and the longest life expectancy among amphibians. As such, it has become a world-famous example for vertebrate troglomorphosis, longevity and neoteny.
Since proteus has an important ecological role as top predator of underground water systems, its presence and health status are a bioindicator of the stability of food chains and the general health of the underground ecosystem of the Slovenian karst, an environment that has the highest underground biodiversity in the World. It is thus of utmost importance to ensure its survival and to monitor any potential threats to its well-being. In this light it is particularly worrying that there is currently no knowledge (and no systematic monitoring) on the susceptibility of proteus to the microbial infections that have in recent years had a devastating effect on the amphibian populations worldwide - including in the countries neighbouring Slovenia. Potential threats to the endangered natural populations of proteus in Slovenia have been substantiated by two worrisome findings of our project group: 1) a lethal black yeast infection of proteus in captivity, and 2) infection of amphibian eggs from an open water source with a (as yet unidentified) chytridiomycete. These findings have implications reaching beyond the proteus species, since Slovenia has one of the largest amphibian diversities in Europe.
The main scientific aims of the proposed projects are: 1) to describe and understand the susceptibility of proteus to microbial infections with a focus on chytridiomycosis, 2) to develop and establish monitoring methods for the presence of infective agents in the Slovenian amphibian populations and diagnosis of infected animals, 3) to understand the patophysiology of relevant infections, and to propose measures that can prevent or reduce decimation of proteus in the wild and in captivity, 4) to characterize the proteus skin microbiome, and evaluate its role in the health of the animal.
The project will contribute to a critical need for systematic monitoring of microbial threats specific to proteus as well as to the protection of the large amphibian biodiversity in Slovenia in general. It will also provide an excellent starting point for establishing a diagnostic center of amphibian infections that would represent an important node in the European network of diagnostic centers established by the directive of the European Council. Results will help the legislator to introduce new standards for the protection of underground waters and biota.
Significance for science
Aside from being a symbol of national and worldwide natural heritage, Proteus anguinus is the longest-living amphibian and a flagship species of the subterranean world of dinaric Karst. Its extraordinary properties make it a highly interesting object of scientific research. Since proteus is a world-famous model for troglobionts and troglomorphism, it is important that its survival in its special biotope (predominantly in the Karstic caves in Slovenia) is ensured and that its interactions with and dependence on its environment is well-understood. This has become an urgent necessity in light of the recent devastating viral and fungal infections of amphibian species across Europe, including countries neighbouring Slovenia. These infections have not yet been reported in Slovenia – but the absence of systemic monitoring means that they could easily have gone unnoticed.
The scientific aims of the proposed project are to 1) describe and understand susceptibility of proteus to microbial and viral infections, especially chytridiomycosis, 2) establish and develop methods to monitor the presence of microbial and viral infective agents as well as infected animals, 3) understand the patophysiology of relevant infections, 4) characterize the skin microbiome of healthy proteus specimens by using next generation sequencing (NGS), and 5) propose measures that can prevent or reduce decimation of proteus in its natural environment as well as in captivity.
Potential threats to the endangered natural populations of proteus have been substantiated recently with two important findings by our project group. One is the discovery of a lethal black yeast infection of proteus in captivity and the other is the observation that 40% of sampled amphibian eggs from an open water source were infected with a (not yet) identified chytridiomycete. As there is no published information on pathogens of proteus so far, the publications emanating from this study are expected to have considerable impact.
The characteristics of proteus are primarily known from captivity due to its unique and often inaccessible underground habitat. The project is also expected to produce new understanding of the ecology of proteus, and therefore help to introduce measures that will ensure that proteus thrives in captivity as well as in its natural environments where it is already exposed to pollution and other stressors induced by human activities. The project will also contribute to a critical need for intensive surveillance of fungal threats to Slovenian amphibian biodiversity in general, and will supplement predictive modeling, that represent the basis for the protection of proteus and other amphibians.
The results of this research will be published in international scientific journals, presented at national and international conferences and introduced to the general public through the project website.
Significance for the country
By providing the first insight into the microbial and viral infections of proteus and suggesting preventive and therapeutic methods to protect against or remove such infective agents, the project will directly contribute to the protection of this highly endangered amphibian species.
By establishing protocols for identification and characterization of Bd and Bsal, our network will provide a national diagnostic service for chytrid diagnostics in Slovenia, thus fulfilling the recent Recommendation No. 176 (2015) by the Council of Europe, a binding legal instrument for all countries that have implemented the Berne Convention. The aim of this proposed national service center is to provide diagnostics and to monitor amphibian chytrid epidemic currently spreading through Europe. Furthermore, this center will provide risk assessment of local amphibian populations, develop action plans for prompt response to potential epidemics, implement public awareness campaigns on the disease and exchange information on chytrids with other European centers. Fast spreading of the disease and high mortality of amphibians caused by chytrid fungi have already severely influenced international trade of amphibians for consumption and terraristic purposes. Any trafficking of amphibians between breeders, pet stores and zoos within EU and between EU and USA is therefore strictly regulated. Even more severe economic consequences are related to emerging viral amphibian pathogens, Rana viruses. Beside high mortality to natural amphibian populations, these viruses pose serious threats to fresh water fisheries and aquaculture industry, as this highly pathogenic virus can be transmitted to fish and reptiles.
Due to their importance as emerging pathogens, “World organization for animal health” have classified both pathogens as “Reportable animal diseases” in 2016 (http://www.oie.int/animal-health-in-the-world/oie-listed-diseases-2016/), requiring immediate reports and response to the presence of these infections. Slovenia lacks the necessary systems for detection, followed by action plans related to amphibian infections. The outcomes of the proposed project will directly contribute to Slovenia fulfilling its international obligations and to the protection of the country's unique biodiversity, a crucial part of which is the Slovenian Dinaric karst, which is a global hot-spot of underground biodiversity.
Since proteus is a symbol of Slovenian natural heritage and a most peculiar amphibian, it is traditionally used for the promotion of Slovenian underground attractions such as the Postojna caves, representing an important source of income for the karstic region and slovenian tourism in general. The implementation of preventive procedures and treatment of infectious diseases are of foremost importance for animals in captivity displayed in caves accessible to tourists, where they are already vulnerable due to various stressors related to captivity and thus more exposed to infections.
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report,
final report
