Baláž, V., M. Solský, D. Lastra González, B. Havlíková, J. Gallego Zamorano, C. González Sevilleja, L. Torrent & J. Vojar

First survey of the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in wild and captive amphibians in the Czech Republic. pp. 87-91.

Abstract. Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is a recently recognized parasitic fungus infecting newts and salamanders. It is lethal to many European Caudata species. Surveillance of this pathogen is of great conservation importance. As the pet trade is assumed to be the route of Bsal introduction to new areas, it is likely that large cities where exotic pet collections, specialized pet shops and zoos are more common are at greater risk of Bsal emergence. Therefore, we have started to survey wild populations of Caudata species (3 species, 9 localities, 126 samples), as well as collections of captive salamanders (60 species, 198 samples) in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. Bsal was not detected in any of the 324 tested samples. Because the risk for Bsal to spread in Europe via the pet trade is ever-present, additional steps to alleviate such risk should be undertaken especially in proximity to larger cities.

Key words. Bsal, chytridiomycosis, infectious diseases, Czech Republic, qPCR, Salamandra salamandra.