First detection of the emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Germany

Abstract

The emerging infectious disease chytridiomycosis is one of the major factors triggering global amphibian declines. A recently discovered species of chytrid fungus,Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans(Bsal), likely originated in East Asia, has led to massive declines in populations of fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) after its apparent introduction to the Netherlands and Belgium. Here, we report the first detection of this pathogen in Germany where it caused mass mortality of fire salamanders in a captive collection. Salamanders from this collection showed an almost 100% prevalence of infection withBsal. SupposedBsal-induced mortality occurred in multipleSalamandraspecies (S. salamandra,S. algira,S. corsica, andS. infraimmaculata), whileBsalinfection was confirmed in nine subspecies ofS. salamandraand inS. algira. Our study indicates that this pathogen can potentially infect all fire salamander species and subspecies. IfBsalspreads from captive collections to wild populations, then a similar devastating effect associated with high mortality should be expected.

Exploring the Distribution of the Spreading Lethal Salamander Chytrid Fungus in Its Invasive Range in Europe – A Macroecological Approach

“…According to these authors, to date Bsal infections in Europe in the wild are known in one salamander and two newt species at 14 sites. In addition, Bsal infections have recently been detected in captive salamanders and newts in the UK and Germany [14,15]. …”

Expanding Distribution of Lethal Amphibian FungusBatrachochytrium salamandrivoransin Europe

“…Within 7 years after the supposed introduction of the fungus, a population in the Netherlands declined by 99.9% ( 3 , 4 ). In the United Kingdom and Germany, Bsal has been detected in captive salamanders and newts ( 5 , 6 ). Infection trials suggest that Bsal represents an unprecedented threat to diversity of Western Palearctic urodeles ( 2 ); nevertheless, reports of deaths among salamanders and newts in their naturalized ranges have been restricted to a few populations of a single salamander species in the southern Netherlands and adjacent Belgium ( 1 , 3 ).…”

Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal)

“…The following caudata species have died in captivity due to confirmed and natural Bsal infection: I . alpestris , Salamandra algira , S. salamandra (including the subspecies alfredschmidti , almanzoris , bernardezi , fastuosa , gallaica , gigliolii , salamandra , terrestris , werneri ), Salamandra corsica , Salamandra infraimmaculata , Triturus macedonicus , Triturus marmoratus , Notophthalmus viridescens , Taricha granulosa (Sabino‐Pinto et al., ; Martel and Pasmans, ).…”

“…Thus far, Bsal has been demonstrated in 15 wild populations of salamanders in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands (Spitzen‐van der Sluijs et al., ) and in five populations in captivity in Germany (1), the Netherlands (2), Spain (1) and the United Kingdom (1) (Sabino‐Pinto et al., ; Fitzpatrick et al., ). The total number of wild and captive populations of salamanders in Europe is not known.…”

“…The disease has been detected in collections of captive salamanders (Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom (Sabino‐Pinto et al., ; Fitzpatrick et al., )) and in natural populations (Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands) of salamanders. A map of the currently known localities of affected natural populations is presented in Figure .…”