Title
Ophidiomycosis (Snake Fungal Disease) in New Jersey Wild Snakes
Author(s)
Paré, J.A.;Conley, K.J.;Boyer, D.M,;Schantz, K.A.
Published
2015
Abstract
Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola (Oo) is the leading fungal pathogen of captive snakes and also causes
snake fungal disease (SFD), an emerging disease of wild snakes in the United States. Necropsies
on carcasses of two wild snakes collected in New Jersey in 2012, a black rat snake (Pantherophis
alleghaniensis) and a Northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen), showed that they
died with extensive cutaneous lesions due to ophidiomycosis (SFD) and suspected
ophidiomycosis, respectively (Paré and Schantz, unpublished data). This prompted a collaborative
New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
health survey of free-ranging snakes in 2013 and 2014. The aim of the study was to determine if
ophidiomycosis was present among populations of endangered timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus
horridus) in the Pinelands and in the Northern Region of New Jersey and if so, to assess the impact
of the disease on these populations. Known timber rattlesnake hibernacula, transient basking
habitats, and gestation sites were visited from emergence in end-April/early May, and throughout
the summer. Sick snakes, defined as any snake with visible skin lesions, were captured and
transferred to the WCS Wildlife Health Center (WHC). Snakes were immobilized, weighed, sexed,
transponded, and morphometric measurements were recorded. Whole body radiographs were
obtained and blood collected. Skin lesions were described and recorded. Fecal samples, when
available, were tested for parasites. Biopsies of skin lesions were collected for histopathology and
fungal culture. Snakes were housed at the WHC as needed or until lesions resolved, and were then
released at capture sites. Ophidiomycosis was diagnosed in snakes from the Northern Region and
the Pinelands. Timber rattlesnakes were the predominantly affected species, but disease was also
recorded in black rat snakes, corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), Northern black racers (Coluber
constrictor constrictor), and Northern pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus).
Keywords
Ophidiomycosis;Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola;snake fungal disease
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PUB15659