title: Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans is the predominant chytrid fungus in Vietnamese salamanders.
abstract: The amphibian chytrid fungi, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal), pose a major threat to amphibian biodiversity. Recent evidence suggests Southeast Asia as a potential cradle for both fungi, which likely resulted in widespread host-pathogen co-existence. We sampled 583 salamanders from 8 species across Vietnam in 55 locations for Bsal and Bd, determined scaled mass index as a proxy for fitness and collected environmental data. Bsal was found within 14 of the 55 habitats (2 of which it was detected in 2013), in 5 salamandrid species, with a prevalence of 2.92%. The globalized pandemic lineage of Bd was found within one pond on one species with a prevalence of 0.69%. Combined with a complete lack of correlation between infection and individual body condition and absence of indication of associated disease, this suggests low level pathogen endemism and Bsal and Bd co-existence with Vietnamese salamandrid populations. Bsal was more widespread than Bd, and occurs at temperatures higher than tolerated by the type strain, suggesting a wider thermal niche than currently known. Therefore, this study provides support for the hypothesis that these chytrid fungi may be endemic to Asia and that species within this region may act as a disease reservoir.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Alexandra E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Laking
authors.affiliation: Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Hai Ngoc
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pasmans
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martel
authors.affiliation: Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Tao Thien
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D008411:Chytridiomycota / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D061005:Ponds; D045483:Rivers; D013696:Temperature; D014562:Caudata / Q000382:microbiology*; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal