Expanding Distribution of Lethal Amphibian FungusBatrachochytrium salamandrivoransin Europe

• DOI: 10.3201/eid2207.160109
• Publication Date: 2016-03-22T17:13:26Z
• Authors: Annemarieke Spitz...; An Martel; Johan Asselberghs; Emma K. Bales; Wouter Beukema; Molly C. Bletz; Lutz Dalbeck; Edo Goverse; Alexander Kerres; Thierry Kinet; Kai Kirst; Arnaud Laudelout; Luis F. Marin da ...; Andreas Nöllert; Dagmar Ohlhoff; Joana Sabino-Pinto; Benedikt R. Schmidt; Jeroen Speybroeck; Frank Spikmans; Sebastian Steinfartz; Michael Veith; Miguel Vences; Norman Wagner; Frank Pasmans; Stefan Lötters
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Urodela; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Extinction, Biological; 01 natural sciences; DENDROBATIDIS; Animals; Veterinary Sciences; Ichthyosaura alpestris; CHYTRIDIOMYCOSIS; Lissotriton vulgaris; SALAMANDERS; R; Dispatch; CHYTRID FUNGUS; emerging infectious disease; 15. Life on land; Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans; chytridiomycosis; Europe; Chytridiomycota; Mycoses; Medicine; Salamandra salamandra

Emerging fungal diseases can drive amphibian species to local extinction. During 2010-2016, we examined 1,921 urodeles in 3 European countries. Presence of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans at new locations and in urodeles of different species expands the known geographic and host range of the fungus and underpins its imminent threat to biodiversity.