Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans sp. nov. causes lethal chytridiomycosis in amphibians.

ABSTRACT: The current biodiversity crisis encompasses a sixth mass extinction event affecting the entire class of amphibians. The infectious disease chytridiomycosis is considered one of the major drivers of global amphibian population decline and extinction and is thought to be caused by a single species of aquatic fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. However, several amphibian population declines remain unexplained, among them a steep decrease in fire salamander populations (Salamandra salamandra) that has brought this species to the edge of local extinction. Here we isolated and characterized a unique chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans sp. nov., from this salamander population. This chytrid causes erosive skin disease and rapid mortality in experimentally infected fire salamande

SUBMITTER: Martel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3780879 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature