Alpine salamanders at risk? The current status of an emerging fungal pathogen

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Philipp Böning - , Trier University (Author)
  • Stefan Lötters - , Trier University (Author)
  • Benedetta Barzaghi - , University of Milan (Author)
  • Marvin Bock - , Trier University (Author)
  • Bobby Bok - , St. Michael College (Author)
  • Lucio Bonato - , University of Padua, National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) (Author)
  • Gentile Francesco Ficetola - , University of Milan (Author)
  • Florian Glaser - , Technisches Büro für Biologie (Author)
  • Josline Griese - (Author)
  • Markus Grabher - , UMG Umweltbüro Grabher (Author)
  • Camille Leroux - , Sorbonne Université, Auddicé Biodiversité– ZAC du Chevalement, Spanish National Research Council (Author)
  • Gopikrishna Munimanda - , University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Author)
  • Raoul Manenti - , University of Milan (Author)
  • Gerda Ludwig - , Amphibienwerkstatt (Author)
  • Doris Preininger - , Vienna Zoo (Author)
  • Mark Oliver Rödel - , Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science (Author)
  • Sebastian Seibold - , Chair of Forest Zoology, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Berchtesgaden National Park, Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Steve Smith - , University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Author)
  • Laura Tiemann - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Jürgen Thein - , Büro für Faunistik und Umweltbildung (Author)
  • Michael Veith - , Trier University (Author)
  • Amadeus Plewnia - , Trier University (Author)

Abstract

Amphibians globally suffer from emerging infectious diseases like chytridiomycosis caused by the continuously spreading chytrid fungi. One is Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) and its disease – the ‘salamander plague’ – which is lethal to several caudate taxa. Recently introduced into Western Europe, long distance dispersal of Bsal, likely through human mediation, has been reported. Herein we study if Alpine salamanders (Salamandra atra and S. lanzai) are yet affected by the salamander plague in the wild. Members of the genus Salamandra are highly susceptible to Bsal leading to the lethal disease. Moreover, ecological modelling has shown that the Alps and Dinarides, where Alpine salamanders occur, are generally suitable for Bsal. We analysed skin swabs of 818 individuals of Alpine salamanders and syntopic amphibians at 40 sites between 2017 to 2022. Further, we compiled those with published data from 319 individuals from 13 sites concluding that Bsal infections were not detected. Our results suggest that the salamander plague so far is absent from the geographic ranges of Alpine salamanders. That means that there is still a chance to timely implement surveillance strategies. Among others, we recommend prevention measures, citizen science approaches, and ex situ conservation breeding of endemic salamandrid lineages.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0298591
JournalPloS one
Volume19
Issue number5 MAY
Publication statusPublished - May 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 38758948
ORCID /0000-0002-7968-4489/work/162348867

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Batrachochytrium/genetics, Animals, Europe/epidemiology, Chytridiomycota, Communicable Diseases, Emerging/microbiology, Mycoses/veterinary, Urodela/microbiology, Salamandra/microbiology