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Two Novel Adenoviruses in Free-Living British lizards

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Abstract

In this study, we describe two novel adenoviruses isolated from (i) a common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) found dead and examined post-mortem and (ii) pooled samples from free-living sand lizards (Lacerta agilis agilis). Sequencing indicated the two were closely related atadenovirus strains which were distinct from previously recorded adenoviruses in lizards. Adenoviruses are not always associated with disease in squamates, but morbidity and mortality have been reported. These are the first known cases of adenovirus infection in free-living native British lizards, and further monitoring will be necessary to elucidate the implications of these possible pathogens for vulnerable populations of native reptiles.

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Acknowledgements

Jenny Jaffe, Inez Januszczak, Tammy Shadbolt, Chloe Hartland, Nicholas Matthews.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Outer Circle, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, England

    Helen C. F. Donald & Anthony W. Sainsbury

  2. Laboklin GmbH & Co., Steubenstrasse 4, 97688, Bad Kissingen, Germany

    Rachel E. Marschang

  3. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, 744 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 6BZ, England

    Jim Foster, John W. Wilkinson, Peter Hill, Mark Barber & George Mee

  4. Formerly Natural England, Now Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, 744 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 6BZ, England

    Paul Edgar

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  1. Helen C. F. Donald
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  2. Jim Foster
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  3. John W. Wilkinson
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  4. Peter Hill
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  5. Mark Barber
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  6. George Mee
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  7. Paul Edgar
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  8. Rachel E. Marschang
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  9. Anthony W. Sainsbury
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Correspondence to Helen C. F. Donald.

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Donald, H.C.F., Foster, J., Wilkinson, J.W. et al. Two Novel Adenoviruses in Free-Living British lizards. EcoHealth 18, 297–300 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-021-01560-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-021-01560-w

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