Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD) is discussed as contributing factor to the long-term decline of Swiss wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations. The disease is emerging during the last decades and was found widespread in many river systems in the lowlands of Switzerland. Migration barriers were considered as possible barriers for the spreading of the disease. However, in the context of revitalisation, many barriers should be removed. In this project we investigated the possible spreading of disease after removal of a barrier by monitoring of brown trout migration, quantitative population monitoring, disease prevalence and pathology. We could show that parasite DNA was demonstrable in upstream stretches, however brown trout did not show disease. Brown trout were migrating upstream, however, these were mainly older trout during spawning time.
This project is funded by the federal office for the environment (00.0214.PZ /N282-1373)
Project lead: Heike Schmidt-Posthaus, PD, Dr. med vet, DECVP, FVH
Last updated: 2020/03/22
