Статья

Using the 2020 global pandemic as a springboard to highlight the need for amphibian conservation in eastern Asia

A. Borzée, J. Kielgast, S. Wren, A. Angulo, S. Chen, K. Magellan, K. Messenger, C. Hansen-Hendrikx, A. Baker, M. Santos, M. Kusrini, J. Jiang, I. Maslova, I. Das, D. Park, D. Bickford, R. Murphy, J. Che, T. Van Do, T. Nguyen, M. Chuang, P. Bishop,
2021

Emerging infectious diseases are on the rise in many different taxa, including, among others, the amphibian batrachochytrids, the snake fungal disease and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, responsible for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in mammals. Following the onset of the pandemic linked to COVID-19, eastern Asia has shown strong leadership, taking actions to regulate the trade of potential vector species in several regions. These actions were taken in response to an increase in public awareness, and the need for a quick reaction to mitigate against further pandemics. However, trade restrictions rarely affect amphibians, despite the risk of pathogen transmission, directly, or indirectly through habitat destruction and the loss of vector consumption. Thus, species that help alleviate the risk of zoonoses or provide biological control are not protected. Hence, in view of the global amphibian decline and the risk of zoonoses, we support the current wildlife trade regulations and support measures to safeguard wildlife from overexploitation. The current period of regulation overhaul should be used as a springboard for amphibian conservation. To mitigate risks, we suggest the following stipulations specifically for amphibians. I) Restrictions to amphibian farming in eastern Asia, in relation to pathogen transmission and the establishment of invasive species. II) Regulation of the amphibian pet trade, with a focus on potential vector species. III) Expansion of the wildlife trade ban, to limit the wildlife-human-pet interface. The resulting actions will benefit both human and wildlife populations, as they will lead to a decrease in the risk of zoonoses and better protection of the environment. Significance statement: There is an increasing number of emerging infectious diseases impacting all species, including amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The latest threat to humans is the virus responsible for COVID-19, and the resulting pandemic. Countries in eastern Asia have taken steps to regulate wildlife trade and prevent further zoonoses thereby decreasing the risk of pathogens arising from wild species. However, as amphibians are generally excluded from regulations we support specific trade restrictions: I) Restrictions to amphibian farming; II) regulation of the amphibian pet trade; III) expansion of the wildlife trade ban. These restrictions will benefit both human and wildlife populations by decreasing the risks of zoonoses and better protecting the environment.

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  • 1. Version of Record от 2021-03-01

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Об авторах
  • A. Borzée
    Nanjing Forestry University, IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group
  • J. Kielgast
    IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, Københavns Universitet, Københavns Universitet
  • S. Wren
    IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, University of Otago
  • A. Angulo
    IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group
  • S. Chen
    Zoological Society of London
  • K. Magellan
    University of Battambang
  • K. Messenger
    Nanjing Forestry University
  • C. Hansen-Hendrikx
    Amphibian Survival Alliance
  • A. Baker
    Amphibian Ark
  • M. Santos
    IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, University of Otago
  • M. Kusrini
    IPB University
  • J. Jiang
    Chengdu Institute of Biology Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • I. Maslova
    Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
  • I. Das
    Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
  • D. Park
    Kangwon National University
  • D. Bickford
    University of La Verne
  • R. Murphy
    Royal Ontario Museum
  • J. Che
    Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • T. Van Do
    Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
  • T. Nguyen
    Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
  • M. Chuang
    National Chung Hsing University
  • P. Bishop
    IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, University of Otago
Название журнала
  • Biological Conservation
Том
  • 255
Номер гранта
  • undefined
Тип документа
  • journal article
Тип лицензии Creative Commons
  • CC BY
Правовой статус документа
  • Свободная лицензия
Источник
  • scopus