Wild Salamanders Are Highly Threatened By An Invasive Fungus

The killer fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans or Bsal, first appeared in a nature preserve within the Netherlands in 2013. Since then, it has run like wildfire through the wild salamanders.It is a fungus that typically feeds on dead organic material in wet environments. A strain of it found a way of consuming the skin of the fire salamanders instead. As such, it creates lesions, lethargy, lack of appetite, and eventually death. The worst part is, the study has shown that the salamanders may not be able to develop an immunity or even survivability. This problem is also seemingly spreading.

One thing that has made Bsal so destructive is that it is very suited as an invasive fungus. Its spore is extremely hardy, able to survive in both dry and wet conditions for months. It is also extremely sticky and able to attach itself to birds’ feet. This makes it even easier for the fungus to spread at a fast rate.

A related fungus is blamed for the huge amphibian die-off in Central America. This occurred over the last few decades. Around two hundred species of toads and frogs are believed to have died off due to this fungus’s attacking them. Scientists are uncertain, because of the remote area and the fact that there are still undiscovered species in the region.

That is not the case with the fire salamander. These animals are well known in European rivers. As none of the animals in the study showed any immunity response, the outlook is not great for their kind. A research paper on the matter was recently released in the Nature journal.

This is according to An Martel, a veterinarian part of the University of Ghent, Belgium and also a study co-author.