The Amphibian Survival Alliance is now working with hobbyists to help fight salamander declines! They have just announced that they will be offering free chytrid testing (both Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans) for 500 salamanders.
Recently, the emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans has been in the news quite a lot. There is much concern that the pathogen could cause large declines in North American salamander populations. In the Netherlands, the fungus lead to a 96% decline in a Fire salamander population in just 3 years.
It has been shown that the fungus is lethal to our common, but beautiful, Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) and the Rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). A few species in North America have been shown to either tolerate or resist infection, but the fate of many species, if infected, is still unknown.
Several European species, besides Fire salamanders, have been shown to be susceptible too, including: Lissotriton italicus, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Pleurodeles waltl, Triturus cristatus, and Neurergus crocatus. Many of these species are adored by us in the hobby (rightfully so!).
If the fungus makes it to North America, it has the potential to not only cause great damage to our native salamander diversity but private collections too. I have read several stories about people's frog collection being wiped out by chytrid fungus, it worries me that the same fate may be possible with my salamanders.
More information can be found below, I hope it helps. For the love of the salamanders, lets get them tested.
Be A Salamander Hero | Amphibians.org
Recently, the emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans has been in the news quite a lot. There is much concern that the pathogen could cause large declines in North American salamander populations. In the Netherlands, the fungus lead to a 96% decline in a Fire salamander population in just 3 years.
It has been shown that the fungus is lethal to our common, but beautiful, Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) and the Rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). A few species in North America have been shown to either tolerate or resist infection, but the fate of many species, if infected, is still unknown.
Several European species, besides Fire salamanders, have been shown to be susceptible too, including: Lissotriton italicus, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Pleurodeles waltl, Triturus cristatus, and Neurergus crocatus. Many of these species are adored by us in the hobby (rightfully so!).
If the fungus makes it to North America, it has the potential to not only cause great damage to our native salamander diversity but private collections too. I have read several stories about people's frog collection being wiped out by chytrid fungus, it worries me that the same fate may be possible with my salamanders.
More information can be found below, I hope it helps. For the love of the salamanders, lets get them tested.
Be A Salamander Hero | Amphibians.org