Huidige situatie van de salamanderschimmel Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Nederland

De schimmel Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans veroorzaakt de ziekte chytridiomycose bij salamanders. In 2013 bleek deze schimmel, die inmiddels op meerdere locaties in Nederland en Europa is aangetro!en, de oorzaak van de drastische afname van de vuursalamander in Zuid-Limburg. In dit artikel wordt de huidige situatie in Nederland beschreven Current status and distribution of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in the Netherlands Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is a chytrid fungus that causes chytridiomycosis in amphibians, primarily a!ecting salamanders and newts. First described in the Netherlands in 2013, Bsal was identified as the cause of a dramatic decline of the fire salamander in the province of Limburg. Populations have collapsed and now persist only at very low levels. The crested newt also shows high Bsal prevalence and infection intensity, and population-level impact remains under study. Alpine and smooth newts are susceptible but may act as reservoirs, because infections are often sublethal. The palmate newt appears relatively resistant, although data are limited. Since 2010, Bsal has been detected at multiple sites in Limburg and Gelderland provinces. Long-distance spreading is unlikely to occur naturally, indicating a significant role for human-mediated transmission. Eradication of Bsal is considered unlikely; mitigation e!orts include European legislation, national monitoring, an early-warning system, fundamental and applied research, and strict hygiene protocols to prevent further spreading.