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.