Broad host susceptibility of North American amphibian species to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans suggests high invasion potential and biodiversity risk

Matthew J. Gray (), Edward Davis Carter, Jonah Piovia-Scott, J. Patrick W. Cusaac, Anna C. Peterson, Ross D. Whetstone, Andreas Hertz, Aura Y. Muniz-Torres, Molly C. Bletz, Douglas C. Woodhams, John M. Romansic, William B. Sutton, Wesley Sheley, Allan Pessier, Catherine D. McCusker, Mark Q. Wilber and Debra L. Miller
Additional contact information
Matthew J. Gray: University of Tennessee
Edward Davis Carter: University of Tennessee
Jonah Piovia-Scott: Washington State University
J. Patrick W. Cusaac: University of Tennessee
Anna C. Peterson: University of Tennessee
Ross D. Whetstone: University of Massachusetts Boston
Andreas Hertz: University of Massachusetts Boston
Aura Y. Muniz-Torres: University of Massachusetts Boston
Molly C. Bletz: University of Massachusetts Boston
Douglas C. Woodhams: University of Massachusetts Boston
John M. Romansic: Washington State University
William B. Sutton: Tennessee State University
Wesley Sheley: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Allan Pessier: Washington State University
Catherine D. McCusker: University of Massachusetts Boston
Mark Q. Wilber: University of Tennessee
Debra L. Miller: University of Tennessee

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is a fungal pathogen of amphibians that is emerging in Europe and could be introduced to North America through international trade or other pathways. To evaluate the risk of Bsal invasion to amphibian biodiversity, we performed dose-response experiments on 35 North American species from 10 families, including larvae from five species. We discovered that Bsal caused infection in 74% and mortality in 35% of species tested. Both salamanders and frogs became infected and developed Bsal chytridiomycosis. Based on our host susceptibility results, environmental suitability conditions for Bsal, and geographic ranges of salamanders in the United States, predicted biodiversity loss is expected to be greatest in the Appalachian Region and along the West Coast. Indices of infection and disease susceptibility suggest that North American amphibian species span a spectrum of vulnerability to Bsal chytridiomycosis and most amphibian communities will include an assemblage of resistant, carrier, and amplification species. Predicted salamander losses could exceed 80 species in the United States and 140 species in North America.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38979-4

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