Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans can Devour more than Salamanders

Towe, Anastasia E; Gray, Matthew J.; Carter, Edward Davis; Wilber, M.; Ossiboff, Robert J.; Ash, Kurt T.; Bohanon, Markese; Bajo, Brittany A.; Miller, Debra L.

doi:10.7589/jwd-d-20-00214

Cited by 15 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Some evidence suggests that Bsal is endemic to Asia and spread to Europe around the late 2000s. Laboratory studies show that many salamander species in Europe (Martel et al, 2014) and at least one anuran (Towe et al, 2021) are susceptible to infection. Lethal infection was observed in wild populations of fire salamanders ( Salamandra salamandra ) in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany and northern crested newts ( Triturus cristatus ) at two sites in Germany (Lötters et al, 2020; Martel et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A spatially explicit risk assessment of salamander populations to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in the United States

Moubarak

Fischhoff

Han

et al. 2022

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim: Amphibian populations are threatened globally by anthropogenic change and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a fungal pathogen causing chytridiomycosis disease to varying degrees of severity. A closely related new fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), has recently left its supposed native range in Asia and decimated some salamander populations in Europe. Despite being noticed initially for causing chytridiomycosis-related population declines in salamanders, Bsal can also infect anurans and cause non-lethal chytridiomycosis or asymptomatic infections in salamanders. Bsal has not yet been detected in the United States, but given the United States has the highest salamander biodiversity on Earth, predictive assessments of salamander risk to Bsal infection will enable proactive allocation of research and conservation efforts into disease prevention and mitigation. Location: The United States, Europe and Asia. Methods: We first predicted the environmental suitability for the Bsal pathogen in the United States through an ecological niche model based on the pathogen's known native range in Asia, validated on the observed invasive range in Europe using bioclimatic, land cover, elevation, soil characteristics and human modification variables.Second, we predicted the susceptibility of salamander species to Bsal infection using a machine-learning model that correlated life history traits with published data on confirmed species infections. Finally, we mapped the geographic ranges of the subset of species that were predicted to be susceptible to Bsal infection. Results:In the United States, the overlap of environmental suitability and susceptible salamander species was greatest in the Pacific Northwest, near the Gulf of Mexico, and along the Atlantic coast, and in inland states east of the Plains region. Main Conclusions:The overlap of these metrics identify salamander populations that may be at risk of developing Bsal infection and suggests priorities for pre-emptive research and conservation measures to protect at-risk salamander species from an additional pathogenic threat.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A spatially explicit risk assessment of salamander populations to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in the United States

Moubarak

Fischhoff

Han

et al. 2022

Diversity and Distributions

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“…In 2013, a novel chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), was discovered in fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra), and is causing mass die-offs of several urodelean species in multiple European countries (2)(3)(4). This pathogen mainly infects urodeles; however, it has also been shown to infect and cause disease in anuran species (3,5,6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration play a key role in Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans chytridiomycosis

et al. 2023

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IntroductionOne of the most important emerging infectious diseases of amphibians is caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). Bsal was recently discovered and is of global concern due to its potential to cause high mortality in amphibians, especially salamander species. To date, little has been reported on the pathophysiological effects of Bsal; however, studies of a similar fungus, B. dendrobatidis (Bd), have shown that electrolyte losses and immunosuppression likely play a key role in morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. The goal of this study was to investigate pathophysiological effects and immune responses associated with Bsal chytridiomycosis using 49 rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa) as the model species.MethodsTaricha granulosa were exposed to a 1 × 107 per 10 mL dose of Bsal zoospores and allowed to reach various stages of disease progression before being humanely euthanized. At the time of euthanasia, blood was collected for biochemical and hematological analyses as well as protein electrophoresis. Ten standardized body sections were histologically examined, and Bsal-induced skin lesions were counted and graded on a scale of 1–5 based on severity.ResultsResults indicated that electrolyte imbalances and dehydration induced by damage to the epidermis likely play a major role in the pathogenesis of Bsal chytridiomycosis in this species. Additionally, Bsal-infected, clinically diseased T. granulosa exhibited a systemic inflammatory response identified through alterations in complete blood counts and protein electrophoretograms.DiscussionOverall, these results provide foundational information on the pathogenesis of this disease and highlight the differences and similarities between Bsal and Bd chytridiomycosis.

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“…Previous experimental studies have shown that salamanders infected by Bsal show clinical signs of chytridiomycosis, whereas anurans were asymptomatic and may act as potential reservoirs of the pathogen ( Martel et al, 2014 ; North American Bsal Task Force, 2022 ). In contrast, a recent study found that the Cuban treefrog Osteopilus septentrionalis is highly susceptible to Bsal disease ( Towe et al, 2021 ), demonstrating that infections of Bsal could also affect anuran species under specific scenarios. Experimental research on host Bsal susceptibility in Mexican anuran and salamander species is urgently needed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Anurans have been considered more tolerant to Bsal infections than salamanders, acting as reservoirs and carrier species of the pathogen ( Martel et al, 2014 ; Stegen et al, 2017 ; North American Bsal Task Force, 2022 ). However, recent evidence has shown that anurans can also be susceptible to Bsal infections under an experimental setting ( Towe et al, 2021 ). Additionally, experimental co-infections of Bd and Bsal have shown higher mortalities than infections caused by only one of the pathogens ( Longo, Fleischer & Lips, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans is not detected in wild and captive amphibians from Mexico

Basanta

Ávila-Akerberg

Byrne

et al. 2022

PeerJ

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The recent emergence of the pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is associated with rapid population declines of salamanders in Europe and its arrival to new areas could cause dramatic negative effects on other amphibian populations and species. Amphibian species, present in areas with high amphibian diversity such as Mexico, could be highly threatened due to the arrival of Bsal, particularly salamander species which are more vulnerable to chytridiomycosis caused by this pathogen. Thus, immediate surveillance is needed as a strategy to efficiently contend with this emerging infectious disease. In this study, we analyzed 490 wild and captive amphibians from 48 species across 76 sites in the North, Central, and South of Mexico to evaluate the presence of Bsal. Amphibians were sampled in sites with variable degrees of amphibian richness and suitability for Bsal according to previous studies. From the 76 sampling sites, 10 of them were located in areas with high amphibian richness and potential moderate to high Bsal habitat suitability. We did not detect Bsal in any of the samples, and no signs of the disease were observed in any individual at the time of sampling. Our results suggest that Bsal has not yet arrived at the sampled sites or could be at low prevalence within populations with low occurrence probability. This is the first study that evaluates the presence of Bsal in different regions and amphibian species in Mexico, which is the second most diverse country in salamander species in the world. We highlight the risk and the importance of continuing surveillance of Bsal in Mexico and discuss control strategies to avoid the introduction and spread of Bsal in the country.

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Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans can Devour more than Salamanders

Cited by 15 publications

References 17 publications

A spatially explicit risk assessment of salamander populations to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in the United States

A spatially explicit risk assessment of salamander populations to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in the United States

Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration play a key role in Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans chytridiomycosis

The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans is not detected in wild and captive amphibians from Mexico

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