Publications by authors named "S Steinfartz"
Article Synopsis
- Understanding pathogen diversity is essential for controlling emerging infectious diseases, as different variants interact uniquely with hosts and the environment.
- This study focuses on Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), a fungal pathogen harming European amphibians, by analyzing 13 isolates to examine their reproductive rates and thermal tolerances.
- The research suggests that the combination of host body temperature and the thermal range of Bsal can significantly affect pathogen growth, highlighting the importance of identifying pathogen variants to assess risk to host populations.
A decision-making framework to maximise the evolutionary potential of populations - Genetic and genomic insights from the common midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans) at its range limits.
Heredity (Edinb)
October 2024
Article Synopsis
- Humans are changing habitats and affecting climate, which is causing many species to decline and lose their ability to adapt to new environments.
- To help these species survive, scientists often breed or release individuals back into the wild, but they need to study their genetics closely to know which ones will fit best in specific locations.
- This study focuses on the common midwife toad in Europe, using advanced genetic tools to understand how to choose the best toads to help populations thrive without harming their local adaptations.
For many species, population sizes are unknown despite their importance for conservation. For population size estimation, capture-mark-recapture (CMR) studies are often used, which include the necessity to identify each individual, mostly through individual markings or genetic characters. Invasive marking techniques, however, can negatively affect the individual fitness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnderstanding wildlife responses to novel threats is vital in counteracting biodiversity loss. The emerging pathogen () causes dramatic declines in European salamander populations, and is considered an imminent threat to global amphibian biodiversity. However, real-life disease outcomes remain largely uncharacterized.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Large-scale species monitoring remains a significant conservation challenge. Given the ongoing biodiversity crisis, the need for reliable and efficient methods has never been greater. Drone-based techniques have much to offer in this regard: they allow access to otherwise unreachable areas and enable the rapid collection of non-invasive field data.
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