The Netherlands' population of wild fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra; pictured) declined by 96% in the past three years, but no known infectious agent was found on their bodies. Now An Martel at Ghent University in Merelbeke, Belgium, and her team identify the problem as a new species of chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans. Healthy salamanders that were experimentally infected with the fungus developed skin lesions and died.
Unlike the only other chytrid fungus known to cause deadly infections (B. dendrobatidis, which has ravaged global frog and toad populations), this new species does not affect midwife toads (Alytes obstetricans). It also grows at much lower temperatures, suggesting that the two chytrid species occupy different niches. The researchers developed a DNA-testing method to rapidly screen salamanders for the fungus, with the aim of tracking this latest threat to biodiversity.
Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA http://doi.org/nrz (2013)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Another killer fungus hits amphibians. Nature 501, 284 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/501284a
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/501284a
