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Killer fungus invades Europe

Date:
March 24, 2016
Source:
Ghent University
Summary:
An invasive pathogenic fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans) is a threat to European salamander and newt biodiversity. Bsal was originally discovered in the Netherlands because it caused mass mortality in salamanders and drove the infected populations to local extinction. Subsequent laboratory trials showed most European salamander and newt species die quickly after infection.
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An invasive pathogenic fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans) is a threat to European salamander and newt biodiversity. Bsal was originally discovered in the Netherlands because it caused mass mortality in salamanders and drove the infected populations to local extinction. Subsequent laboratory trials showed most European salamander and newt species die quickly after infection.

Using data from field surveillance, a new study showed that the killer fungus now occurs in many new places in the Netherlands and Belgium. In addition, it was found for the first time in the wild in Germany. The study also shows that the fungus infects additional species in the wild. The fungus was detected at 14 of the 55 sampled sites. The infected amphibians were fire salamanders, alpine newts, and smooth newts. 'Our results demonstrate that the range of Bsal distribution may be up to about 10,000 km2 across Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands" says Annemarieke Spitzen-van der Sluijs who led the study. She adds "Our study provides evidence that Bsal among wild amphibians in Europe is more wildely distributed and affects a wider host range than previously known, which can either indicate recent spread of the fungus or point to historically infected sites that hitherto remained undetected. The presence of Bsal in wild populations can easily remain unnoticed because the lesions develop only near the final stage of the disease."

The international research team says that further surveillance of the chytrid fungus is very important. Spitzen-van der Sluijs asks for help from the public. "Please report sick or dead salamanders and newts so we can further fill the map of the distribution of the fungus in Europe."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Ghent University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Annemarieke Spitzen-van der Sluijs, 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 Fonte, 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. Expanding Distribution of Lethal Amphibian FungusBatrachochytrium salamandrivoransin Europe. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2016; 22 (7) DOI: 10.3201/eid2207.160109

Cite This Page:

Ghent University. "Killer fungus invades Europe." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 March 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160324083023.htm>.
Ghent University. (2016, March 24). Killer fungus invades Europe. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160324083023.htm
Ghent University. "Killer fungus invades Europe." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160324083023.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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