#Speciesoftheweek - The Salamander

The populations of salamanders in Europe have collapsed recently. Now researchers are certain that a fungus is responsible. The problem could become global. Salamanders, our #speciesoftheweek

Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, that's the name of the fungus, can typically be found on the skin of Asian salamander species. And the amphibians easily share it, simply by direct contact.



But last year the fungus was discovered in Europe, where it caused an outbreak in the Netherlands that wiped out almost the entire population (96%) of the country's fire salamanders. The alarming development prompted a study - published today in Science - which examined 35 species of amphibians to understand which of them were effected by the fungus. The result: the fungus is fatal to salamanders and newts, but not to frogs, toads and a number of other amphibians.



In a second step the researchers tried to find out more about the origin and reach of the fungus. They now believe that Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans may have come from Southeast Asia, where indigenous newts and salamanders are immune to its effects.



With Asian salamanders and newts traded in large numbers across the globe, researchers fear harsh consequences for salamander populations worldwide.