Resistance to Chytridiomycosis in European Plethodontid Salamanders of the Genus Speleomantes

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063639
• Publication Date: 2013-05-20T21:10:13Z
• Authors: Frank Pasmans; Pascale Van Rooij; Mark Blooi; Giulia Tessa; Sergé Bogaerts; Giuseppe Sotgiu; Trenton W. J. Garner; Matthew C. Fisher; Benedikt R. Schmidt; Tonnie Woeltjes; Wouter Beukema; Stefano Bovero; Connie Adriaensen; Fabrizio Oneto; Dario Ottonello; An Martel; Sebastiano Salvidio
• Keywords: Chytridiomycosis

North America and the neotropics harbor nearly all species of plethodontid salamanders. In contrast, this family caudate amphibians is represented in Europe Asia by two genera, Speleomantes Karsenia, which are confined to small geographic ranges. Compared neotropical American plethodontids, mortality attributed chytridiomycosis caused Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has not been reported for European despite established presence Bd their distribution. We determined extent present populations eight show that was undetectable 921 skin swabs. then compared susceptibility one these species, strinatii, experimental infection with a highly virulent isolate (BdGPL), susceptible Alytes muletensis. Whereas inoculated A. muletensis developed increasing Bd-loads over 4-week period, none five exposed S. strinatii were colonized beyond 2 weeks post inoculation. Finally, we secretions capable killing Bd. Skin seven showed pronounced activity against 24 hours. conclusion, absence combined resistance efficient defenses indicate genus taxon unlikely decline due