Recent introduction of a chytrid fungus endangers Western Palearctic salamanders

2014/10/30 by An Martel, Mark Blooi, Connie Adriaensen +24 · 2 citations
Environmental Science · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Immunology and Microbiology · #Amphibian and Reptile Biology #Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies #Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities #Amphibian #Biology #Biodiversity #Salamander #Biosecurity #Chytridiomycosis #Fungus #Clade #Ecology #Zoology #Emerging infectious disease #Phylogenetic tree #Virology #Botany

paper · doi:10.1126/science.1258268

openalex publication_date 2014/10/30 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

Emerging infectious diseases are reducing biodiversity on a global scale. Recently, the emergence of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans resulted in rapid declines in populations of European fire salamanders. Here, we screened more than 5000 amphibians from across four continents and combined experimental assessment of pathogenicity with phylogenetic methods to estimate the threat that this infection poses to amphibian diversity. Results show that B. salamandrivorans is restricted to, but highly pathogenic for, salamanders and newts (Urodela). The pathogen likely originated and remained in coexistence with a clade of salamander hosts for millions of years in Asia. As a result of globalization and lack of biosecurity, it has recently been introduced into naïve European amphibian populations, where it is currently causing biodiversity loss.

Citations

• A Bayesian approach on molecules and behavior: reconsidering phylogenetic and evolutionary patterns of the Salamandridae with emphasis on Triturus newts
• A Likelihood Approach to Estimating Phylogeny from Discrete Morphological Character Data
• MrBayes 3.2: Efficient Bayesian Phylogenetic Inference and Model Choice Across a Large Model Space
• MAFFT Multiple Sequence Alignment Software Version 7: Improvements in Performance and Usability

Cited by

• Eastern newt [wikipedia]
• Triturus [wikipedia]

Related

• Post-epizootic salamander persistence in a disease-free refugium suggests poor dispersal ability of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans
• Amphibian fungal panzootic causes catastrophic and ongoing loss of biodiversity
• Global Emergence ofBatrachochytrium dendrobatidisand Amphibian Chytridiomycosis in Space, Time, and Host
• Pan‐amphibia distribution of the fungal parasite Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis varies with species and temperature
• Exploring the Distribution of the Spreading Lethal Salamander Chytrid Fungus in Its Invasive Range in Europe – A Macroecological Approach