Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans Threat to the Iberian Urodele Hotspot.

ABSTRACT: The recent introduction of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans into northeastern Spain threatens salamander diversity on the Iberian Peninsula. We assessed the current epidemiological situation with extensive field sampling of urodele populations. We then sought to delineate priority regions and identify conservation units for the Iberian Peninsula by estimating the susceptibility of Iberian urodeles using laboratory experiments, evidence from mortality events in nature and captivity and inference from phylogeny. None of the 1395 field samples, collected between 2015 and 2021 were positive for Bsal and no Bsal-associated mortality events were recorded, in contrast to the confirmed occurrence of Bsal outbreak previously described in 2018. We clas

SUBMITTER: Bosch J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8400424 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature