Detection of chytridiomycosis caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the endangered Sardinian newt (Euproctus platycephalus) in southern Sardinia, Italy.
The chytridiomycete fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is known to be focally distributed across Europe, but has only been linked to "chytridiomycosis at a few locations in Spain. Here we report the second occurrence of chytridiomycosis in European amphibians. We found a population of endangered Sardinian newts (Euproctus platycephalus) exhibiting clinical signs of disease including loss of digits and patchy, discolored skin. Molecular examination of skin samples tested positive for B. dendrobatidis. The population of E. platycephalus has been in decline on a timescale consistent with the global emergence of chytridiomycosis, and the ecology of this salamander suggests that the disease in this species warrants concern.
Bovero
S
S
Zirichiltaggi S. W. C. Non-profit Association for Wildlife Conservation, Strada vicinale Filigheddu 62/C, 07100 Sassari, Italy. stefano.bovero@tin.it
Sotgiu
G
G
Angelini
C
C
Doglio
S
S
Gazzaniga
E
E
Cunningham
A A
AA
Garner
T W J
TW
D000818:Animals; D008411:Chytridiomycota / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D007558:Italy; D009181:Mycoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012455:Salamandridae / Q000382:microbiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013045:Species Specificity
D004271:DNA, Fungal