UQ PhD candidate Sam Gallagher-Becker and Associate Professor Celine Frere with a water dragon in Brisbane.
(Photo credit: The University of Queensland )
University of Queensland researchers say Australia's reptiles are at risk of extinction because a little understood fungus is infecting species through the environment.
Associate Professor Celine Frere from UQ's School of Environment said Nannizziopsis barbatae caused fungal skin lesions and lethargy, leading to reptile starvation and eventual death.
"N. barbatae has the potential to have the same impact as white-nose syndrome and chytridiomycosis that caused 100 species to become extinct," Dr Frere said.
"We need all layers of government to work together to find out more about this disease.
"We don't know if was introduced or has always been here and the impacts are becoming more severe because of climate change or habitat loss.
"But animals are dying and there is no cure.
"This could cause significant declines in the numbers of Australian reptiles."
UQ researchers have completed the first study identifying how the N. barbatae fungus was spread amongst a South East Queensland water dragon population.
It was first detected in the reptile population in 2013 and in 10 years, the rate of infection increased by 35 per cent.
PhD candidate Sam Gallagher-Becker said the study found the water dragons were more likely to contract the fungal pathogen from a contaminated environment than from contact with infected individuals.
"We need to get on the front foot and create strategies to control and prevent outbreaks in Australian reptile species," Mr Gallagher-Becker said.
"Nannizziopsis barbatae can exist in the environment without a host.
"Determining the pathogen's ability for indirect transmission under natural conditions can help gauge the threat it poses to wildlife.
"So far infected lizards have been reported in Brisbane, Perth and Dubbo."
The fungus has been detected in soil at multiple locations in Brisbane but the rate of infection amongst the reptile population is unknown.
The N. barbatae fungus has been found across South East Queensland, in central western New South Wales and in Perth.
Dr Frere said the community could help researchers enhance their understanding of the disease and the impact it was having.
"Everywhere we have tested the soil for this fungus, it has been found," Dr Frere said.
"We need residents to report if they are seeing sick water dragons near their home and we need authorities to provide support to secure the future of our Australian reptiles.
"Current research suggests water dragons could be quite tolerant to the disease compared to other reptiles.
"There is an urgent need to monitor reptiles across Australia to ensure we don't have another fungal epidemic in our reptile populations."
Members of the public are encouraged to provide researchers with photos or videos of water dragons with skin lesions via email and to contact the RSPCA or local veterinary clinic if the animal is suffering.
Findings from the study were published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
