ABSTRACT
Nannizziopsis guarroi is an ascomycete fungus associated with a necrotizing dermatitis in captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) across both Europe and North America. Clinical signs of the disease include swelling and lesion formation. Lesions develop from white raised bumps on the skin and progress into crusty, yellow, discolored scales, eventually becoming necrotic. The clinical signs are the basis of a colloquial name yellow fungal disease (YFD). However, until now, N. guarroi has not been confirmed as the primary agent of the disease in bearded dragons. In this experiment, we fulfill Koch’s postulates criteria of disease, demonstrating N. guarroi as the primary agent of YFD in bearded dragons.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We are exceedingly grateful to everyone at the Charmany Instructional Facility for their critical logistical support in caring for the animals. We thank the Pringle laboratory for their help in making this experiment possible. We also thank the Research Animal Resources Center staff for facilitating and providing the equipment necessary for humane euthanasia of the animals.