The Alpine Newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris, formerly Triturus alpestris)

[dampflippers]

One thing that is worrying is that if someone (or a shop) with infected exotics in a tank empties the water down the sink, then wherever the water goes to potentially becomes infected. Or if you do a partial change of water in your pond and pump it into the drains.

[Stomatopod]

Originally Posted by dampflippers

One thing that is worrying is that if someone (or a shop) with infected exotics in a tank empties the water down the sink, then wherever the water goes to potentially becomes infected. Or if you do a partial change of water in your pond and pump it into the drains.

and its all down to the african clawed frog in pet shops and science labs!

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by dampflippers

One thing that is worrying is that if someone (or a shop) with infected exotics in a tank empties the water down the sink, then wherever the water goes to potentially becomes infected. Or if you do a partial change of water in your pond and pump it into the drains.

As far as I understand the zoospore stage only has a limited "viable" time in which it can infect another amphibian. The infection of an animal also appears to be a function of the number of zoospores present. By the time the sewage treatment works have finished with any tank water they get via the drains it should be ok.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

As far as I understand the zoospore stage only has a limited "viable" time in which it can infect another amphibian. The infection of an animal also appears to be a function of the number of zoospores present. By the time the sewage treatment works have finished with any tank water they get via the drains it should be ok.

Unless the drains empty striaght into a stream/river ie they poor the water down the street drain (so unlikely).

On the subject of cytrid the natterjack toads seem to be the most affected, some have said this maybe because those involved in the captive breed and release programs often had exotics in captivity too and there was cross contamination - not that they should be blamed as the danger wasn't known.

I know of someone else who has alpine newts in their pond and they have got a license from natural england in order to take part in the 'big swab' survey of different species for cytrid.

[Blue_bell]

I know resently there has been a lot of testing on chytrid.

Alpine newts are carriers but are not effected. They effect any other species living with them.

They need to be removed to protect our native species.

[dampflippers]

Froglife news: Froglife's Dragon of the Month: Alpine Newt
Worth a read.