Biological invasions are considered one of the most relevant drivers of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and ecosystem service changes. For instance, invasive species have contributed to the global spread of pathogens into naïve ecosystems (human-mediated pathogen invasion or ‘pathogen pollution’), affecting thus the health status of naïve native wildlife, commercial species and humans worldwide. Many different processes contribute to the human-assisted introduction of exotic animals (such as intentional/accidental escape or dumping of alien managed, pet and game species), which increase the opportunity of interspecific direct/indirect interactions with other sympatric species, and thus, boosting the risk of exposure to diverse infectious agents.
Previous researches have documented the threat of invaders from different vertebrate taxa as potential spreaders of several viral, bacterial and/or parasite agents worldwide, being involved in the epidemiological cycles as either reservoir or non-maintenance hosts. However, further studies are needed to understand the actual disease transmission risk driven by persistently infected invasive hosts that may already act as amplifiers of multi-host pathogens across heterogeneous landscapes. Considering the fact that ongoing research on invasive species and diseases is progressively expanding, there is an interesting opportunity to contribute with systematic, long-term efforts to fill the gaps on the epidemiological significance of invasive vertebrates across the globe. The main goal of this Research Topic is to provide novel insights on disease transmission between invasive vertebrates and domestic/wild animals and humans, throughout a diverse array of proposed themes.
The Research Topic will focus on the following themes (but not be limited to):
- Pathogen discovery in invasive vertebrate species.
- Disease ecology in invasive vertebrate species.
- Evidence of cross-species transmission between invasive and native vertebrate species.
- Epidemiological risks of invasive vertebrates to commercial species and humans.
- Control and management strategies in invasive vertebrate species and their implications for disease control in animal and human populations.
- Pathogens: Pseudorabies, Canine-borne viruses, Avian influenza, Tuberculosis, Paratuberculosis, Leptospirosis, Toxoplasmosis, Trichinellosis, Sarcoptic mange, Chytridiomycosis, etc.
- Type of manuscripts: Original Research, Brief Research Report.
Keywords:
Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Pseudorabies, Canine-borne viruses, Avian influenza, Tuberculosis, Paratuberculosis, Leptospirosis, Toxoplasmosis, Trichinellosis, Sarcoptic mange, Chytridiomycosis, Fish
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Biological invasions are considered one of the most relevant drivers of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and ecosystem service changes. For instance, invasive species have contributed to the global spread of pathogens into naïve ecosystems (human-mediated pathogen invasion or ‘pathogen pollution’), affecting thus the health status of naïve native wildlife, commercial species and humans worldwide. Many different processes contribute to the human-assisted introduction of exotic animals (such as intentional/accidental escape or dumping of alien managed, pet and game species), which increase the opportunity of interspecific direct/indirect interactions with other sympatric species, and thus, boosting the risk of exposure to diverse infectious agents.
Previous researches have documented the threat of invaders from different vertebrate taxa as potential spreaders of several viral, bacterial and/or parasite agents worldwide, being involved in the epidemiological cycles as either reservoir or non-maintenance hosts. However, further studies are needed to understand the actual disease transmission risk driven by persistently infected invasive hosts that may already act as amplifiers of multi-host pathogens across heterogeneous landscapes. Considering the fact that ongoing research on invasive species and diseases is progressively expanding, there is an interesting opportunity to contribute with systematic, long-term efforts to fill the gaps on the epidemiological significance of invasive vertebrates across the globe. The main goal of this Research Topic is to provide novel insights on disease transmission between invasive vertebrates and domestic/wild animals and humans, throughout a diverse array of proposed themes.
The Research Topic will focus on the following themes (but not be limited to):
- Pathogen discovery in invasive vertebrate species.
- Disease ecology in invasive vertebrate species.
- Evidence of cross-species transmission between invasive and native vertebrate species.
- Epidemiological risks of invasive vertebrates to commercial species and humans.
- Control and management strategies in invasive vertebrate species and their implications for disease control in animal and human populations.
- Pathogens: Pseudorabies, Canine-borne viruses, Avian influenza, Tuberculosis, Paratuberculosis, Leptospirosis, Toxoplasmosis, Trichinellosis, Sarcoptic mange, Chytridiomycosis, etc.
- Type of manuscripts: Original Research, Brief Research Report.
Keywords:
Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Pseudorabies, Canine-borne viruses, Avian influenza, Tuberculosis, Paratuberculosis, Leptospirosis, Toxoplasmosis, Trichinellosis, Sarcoptic mange, Chytridiomycosis, Fish
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.