Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans

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In vitro culture of Bs. (B) Scanning electron microscopic image. Photo taken by Martel et al, 2013. [1].

By [Fiona Ellsworth]

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Amphibians world-wide have recently come under threat from a pathogenic fungus of the chytrid family. First documented in South American amphibians, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has now been documented as causing chytridiomycosis in a variety of different amphibians in different parts of the world. Batrachochytrium salmandrivorans (Bsal), of the same family as Bd, is the fungal pathogen that causes chytridiomycosis in salamanders. Bsal, like Bd, has aquatic zoospheres that infect its host through their skin. The diseased salamander subsequently develops deadly skin lesions. One key difference between Bsal and Bd is the low thermal tolerance of Bsal. The pathogenic fungus likely originated in Asia, and then traveled to Europe via the international pet trade. Because of the great extent of the international salamander pet trade, it is likely that Bsal will eventually make its way to North America, and the rest of the world. Once it does, it is important for scientists to know as much as possible about the fungus, the disease that it causes, and what can be done to stop its spread. Scientists are currently working to answer these questions, in an effort to mitigate the mass extinction of amphibians worldwide which is currently underway.
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Section 1

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A Fire Salamander, one of the first species of salamanders to be observed as a host for Bsal. Prevelent in The Netherlands. Image from Google Images.

Section 2

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Microscopy of the skin of a Bsal infected salamander. A) Immunohistochemical stain. Numerous Bsal colonial thalli, particularly around lesion. B) Transmission electron microscopy of colonial thallus inside keratinocyte cell. Image from Martel et al 2013.

Section 3

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Maximum likelihood tree, created by Martel et al 2013 from analysis of partial 18S + 28S rRNA genes. Bsal in bold. Bsal forms clade with Bd.

Section 4

Threat of Bsal to North America. A) Map of Bsal habitat suitability. B) Map of salamander species richness. C) Areas vulnerable to Bsal outbreak. Black squares represent major port cities for the international salamander pet trade. Image created by Yap et al 2015

References

Authored for BIOL 238 Microbiology, taught by Joan Slonczewski, 2018, Kenyon College.