Download Invasive Pathogens

Invasive Pathogens
By: Kelly Moffett, Ryan Crawford,
Taylor Arsenault, and Lindsey
Youngman
Pathogens - So what?
❖Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses
❖Very little is known about pathogens
➢ <10% of fungi have been discovered and
described
❖Potential for bioterrorism and destruction
of native species
❖Hazardous to humans as well
❖Potential for fast spread and total
destruction
Foot and Mouth Disease
Aphtae epizooticae
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Virus
Native range unknown
Introduced worldwide
Highly contagious, passed on contact or through aerosols
Affects livestock, animals with cloven hooves
Symptoms: high fever, sores and blisters on inside of the mouth, feet, and
mammary glands, lameness, depression, anorexia, huge decrease in
production from the animals (milk and growth rate), death
Foot and Mouth Disease
Why does it matter?
● Causes HUGE economic loss (farmers losing livestock)
● Infected animals must be slaughtered and carcasses must be burned to
prevent spread
● UK, 2001 - Foot and mouth outbreak, 3,750,222 animals slaughtered and
carcasses burned within 6 months of the start of the epidemic, almost 1 billion
dollars lost amongst infected farms
Literature Review
Invasion Pathways of Terrestrial Plant-Inhabiting Fungi
(Mary E. Palm and Amy Y Rossman)
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Propagative Plant Material (Seeds, Nursery Stock)
Nonpropagative Plant Material (Fruits, Wood)
Soil (Plant Propagules)
Fungi in Pure Culture
● Conclusions From Literature
http://www.wncf
orestreportcard.
org/browse/eco
systemhealth/disease
Example: Propagative Plant Material, Woody Nursery Stock
Japanese chestnut trees (native to Asia) brought to America in 1876) fungus brought with it
Methods
❖Collected data on
➢ Native/Introduced areas
➢ Introduction pathways
➢ Time of Introduction
❖Analyzed
➢ Types of Invasive Pathogens
➢ Introduction type
Accidental pathways
❖Resources Used
➢ Internet databases, including:Invasive Species Compendium,USDA ,
Microbe Wiki, Global Invasive Species Database, etc...
Results
Results cont.
Discussion
Our data on pathways was all unknown and
accidental. Considering how dangerous
these pathogens can be we need to collect
and study them to prepare for their spread. If
not, like our literature suggests they will
continue to spread and pose a threat to
plants, animals and people