Abstract
The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) infects newts and salamanders (urodele amphibians), in which it can cause fatal disease. This pathogen has caused dramatic fire salamander population declines in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany since its discovery in 2010. Thought to be native to Asia, it has been hypothesised that Bsal was introduced to Europe with the importation of infected amphibians for the commercial pet trade. Following the discovery of Bsal in captive amphibians in the United Kingdom in 2015, we used contact-tracing to identify epidemiologically-linked private amphibian collections in Western Europe. Of 16 linked collections identified, animals were tested from 11 and urodeles tested positive for Bsal in seven, including the identification of the pathogen in Spain for the first time. Mortality of Bsal-positive individuals was observed in five collections. Our results indicate that Bsal is likely widespread within the private amphibian trade, at least in Europe. These findings are important for informing policy regarding Bsal control strategies.
Highlights
Emerging infectious diseases pose a substantial threat to global biodiversity, causing population declines, and even species extinctions, across a range of taxa[1]
Sixteen private amphibian collections were identified as being epidemiologically linked to the index case of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) infection in the UK21
We identified Bsal-positive urodeles in seven of 11 tested private amphibian collections across Western Europe that were epidemiologically linked to the index case in the UK21, including the first identification of Bsal in Spain
Summary
Emerging infectious diseases pose a substantial threat to global biodiversity, causing population declines, and even species extinctions, across a range of taxa[1]. Most of the experimentally-infected animals were captive-bred (animals for only five species tested were wild-caught)[6], a factor which might influence infection outcome These infection trials, provide the best available data on the response of different urodele species to exposure to Bsal. Wild-caught urodeles from Asia were routinely imported into Europe as part of the pet trade[12], and this is considered to have been the likeliest route for the introduction of Bsal into Europe[6] Such introduction of non-native pathogens into new geographic regions with naive host species/populations is a recognised driver of infectious disease emergence and has been termed “pathogen pollution”[13]. Analysing the current state of Bsal infection in the amphibian trade is essential to understand the risk of further Bsal incursions into wild populations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
