Taylor S K, Williams E S, Thorne E T, Mills K W, Withers D I, Pier A C
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82070, USA.
J Wildl Dis. 1999 Jan;35(1):49-57. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-35.1.49.
Wyoming toads (Bufo baxteri) that died from January 1989 to June 1996 were submitted to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (Laramie, Wyoming, USA) for postmortem evaluation. These consisted of 108 free-ranging toads and 170 animals from six captive populations. Ninety-seven (90%) of 108 free-ranging toad carcasses were submitted during September and October. From 1989 to 1992, 27 (77%) of 35 mortalities in the captive populations occurred in October, November, and December. From 1993 to 1996, mortality in captive toads occurred without a seasonal pattern and coincided with changes in hibernation protocols that no longer mimicked natural cycles. Cause of mortality was determined in 147 (53%) of the 278 cases. Mycotic dermatitis with secondary bacterial septicemia was the most frequent diagnosis in 104 (71%) of 147 toads. Basidiobolus ranarum was found by microscopic examination of skin sections in 100 (96%) of 104 of these mortalities. This fungus was isolated from 30 (56%) of 54 free-ranging and 24 (48%) of 50 captive toads. This research documents the causes of mortality for both free-ranging and captive endangered Wyoming toads over a 7 yr period.
1989年1月至1996年6月期间死亡的怀俄明蟾蜍（Bufo baxteri）被送往美国怀俄明州兽医实验室（美国怀俄明州拉勒米）进行尸检评估。这些蟾蜍包括108只野生蟾蜍和来自6个圈养种群的170只蟾蜍。108只野生蟾蜍尸体中有97只（90%）是在9月和10月送检的。1989年至1992年，圈养种群的35例死亡中有27例（77%）发生在10月、11月和12月。1993年至1996年，圈养蟾蜍的死亡没有季节性模式，且与不再模拟自然周期的冬眠方案变化同时发生。278例中有147例（53%）确定了死亡原因。在147只蟾蜍中的104只（71%）中，最常见的诊断是霉菌性皮炎伴继发性细菌性败血症。在这104例死亡中的100只（96%）的皮肤切片显微镜检查中发现了蛙粪霉。从54只野生蟾蜍中的30只（56%）和50只圈养蟾蜍中的24只（48%）中分离出了这种真菌。这项研究记录了7年期间野生和圈养濒危怀俄明蟾蜍的死亡原因。
