Fungal Pathogens and Microbiota Interactions in Amphibians and Reptiles: Ecology, Disease, and Conservation

Emerging fungal pathogens represent one of the most significant threats to global amphibian and reptile populations. While chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, has driven severe biodiversity declines in amphibians worldwide, reptiles face increasingly critical threats from fungal agents such as Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, the causative agent of ophidiomycosis, and the Nannizziopsis species complex. At the same time, recent advances in microbiome research highlight the critical role of host-associated microbial communities in modulating disease susceptibility, immune responses, and resilience across these diverse taxa.This Research Topic aims to explore the complex interactions between fungal pathogens, host microbiota, and environmental factors in both amphibians and reptiles. We seek contributions that advance understanding across scales, from molecular mechanisms to ecosystem-level dynamics, bridging disease ecology, microbiology, conservation biology, and environmental change. By highlighting the parallel challenges faced by these groups, we aim to foster a collaborative research environment that addresses the unique aspects of both amphibian and reptile-centric disease dynamics.We invite manuscripts that investigate the complex interactions between fungal pathogens and host-associated microbiota in herpetofauna, with a focus on disease dynamics, immune responses, and conservation-oriented mitigation strategies. We welcome both original research articles and comprehensive reviews that provide novel insights into host–pathogen–microbiome relationships, aiming to bridge fundamental research and applied conservation efforts for both amphibians and reptiles.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Ecology, epidemiology, and global spread of fungal pathogens, including Batrachochytrium species and Ophidiomyces ophidiicola• Mechanisms of pathogenesis and host susceptibility in chytridiomycosis, ophidiomycosis, and other fungal infections affecting reptiles and amphibians• Structure, diversity, and functional roles of amphibian and reptile skin microbiota• Microbiome-mediated resistance, including antifungal metabolites and protective symbionts• Dysbiosis and microbiome shifts associated with infection, stress, or environmental change• Host immune responses to fungal pathogens and their interaction with resident microbiota• Environmental drivers of disease outbreaks, including climate change, pollution, and habitat alteration• The role of anthropogenic factors (wildlife trade, captivity, translocation) in pathogen emergence and microbiome disruption• Development and evaluation of probiotic or microbiome-based interventions for disease mitigation in the wild and in captivity• Advances in metagenomics, metabolomics, and other multi-omics approaches applied to host–microbe–pathogen systems• Experimental infection models and integrative field–laboratory studies• Surveillance, diagnostics, and biosecurity strategies for fungal diseases in herpetofauna• Conservation frameworks and management strategies addressing fungal-driven biodiversity lossIf you are interested in submitting or have any questions please contact the journal email: amphibianandreptilescience@frontiersin.org Topic editors: Andreia Garces, Isabel Pires Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80338/fungal-pathogens-and-microbiota-interactions-in-amphibians-and-reptiles-ecology-disease-and-conservation