First Survey of the Pathogenic Fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Wild and Captive Amphibians in the Czech Republic

Abstract. The recently discovered fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Martel et al. 2013) (hereinafter referred to as Bsal) has already received significant scientific and public attention (e.g., Martel et al. 2014, Van Rooij et al. 2015, Yap et al. 2015, Stegen et al. 2017). The Bsal epidemic has so far been limited to European newts and salamanders found in the wild (Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands: Martel et al. 2013, Spitzen-van der Sluijs et al. 2016) and in captive populations (Germany: Sabino-Pinto et al. 2015; United Kingdom: Cunningham et al. 2015). In the Netherlands, Bsal is responsible for the near extinction of wild fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) populations (Spitzen-van der Sluijs et al. 2013).