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| Submitter's Name |
Natalie Steckler |
| Session Name |
Emerging Diseases and Contaminants in Florida Waters - 1 |
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| Author(s) |
Natalie Steckler, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (Presenting Author) |
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James Wellehan,
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine |
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Lisa Farina, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine |
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Gregory Krane, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine |
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Thomas Waltzek, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine |
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Ranaviruses: an Emerging Threat to Florida Fish, Amphibians, and Reptiles |
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Ranaviruses are a genus of large double-stranded DNA viruses within the family Iridoviridae that infect three classes of poikilothermic vertebrates. Nearly identical strains of Frog virus 3, type species for the genus Ranavirus, have been linked to significant epizootics in wild and farmed North American fish, amphibians, and reptiles. These mortality events have included species of conservation concern including the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), dusky gopher frog (Lithobates sevosus), boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas), and numerous species of sturgeon (family Acipenseridae). Ranaviral infections may result in lethal systemic disease with hemorrhage, edema, and necrosis observed among affected tissues. Due to increased detections of ranaviruses in an expanding number of lower vertebrates around the globe, they are considered an emerging group of pathogens and increasing attention is being given to their potential impacts on both aquaculture and aquatic ecosystems. In 2015, approximately 75 scientists and veterinarians attended the Third Global Ranavirus Symposium in Gainesville, FL to discuss recent developments in ranavirology. This talk will provide an overview of ranaviruses, with emphasis placed on ranavirus epizootics within Florida’s wildlife and animal industries. |
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