Emerging fungal diseases pose a major threat to Amphibian biodiversity worldwide: pathogens belonging to the genus Batrachochytrium are known to cause severe impairment to skin respiratory and rehydration functions, resulting in episodes of mass mortality in the most susceptible species. While the distribution and impact of B. dendrobatidis on Anurans has been extensively analyzed in most continents, studies about the effects of B. salamandrivorans (hereafter, Bsal) on Urodeles are still relatively scarce. In an attempt to fill the information gap for Southern Europe, a recent study led by Sebastiano Salvidio explored the potential threat posed by Bsal to Italian salamander populations.

The Italian peninsula is characterized by a considerable richness in Urodeles: it hosts 19 salamander species, 10 of which are strictly endemic. Preventing Bsal outbreaks and promptly identifying infected populations is therefore paramount to protect Italian herpetofauna. In the study that will be published in the next issue of Acta Herpetologica, swabs for 15 specimens from the sites of 2 putative outbreaks of Bsal were analyzed with molecular techniques. All the samples were negative for Bsal DNA; however, due to the small sample sizes, the authors could not completely rule out the possibility of an ongoing infection in the study areas. 

The authors also performed a literature review in order to estimate the vulnerability of Italian salamanders to the pathogen. They found that almost 80% of the salamander species living in Italy - including all endemic species with the exception of Speleomantes imperialis - are highly susceptible to Bsal. In addition,  most Italian wild salamander species show ample niche overlap with the pathogen. These findings suggest that the fungus poses a serious threat to Italian urodeles: therefore, cost-efficient disease surveillance and preventative management actions must be planned.

Discover more about the potential impact of Bsal on Italian wild salamander here.

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