A deadly flesh-eating fungus responsible for decimating fire salamander populations in Europe is spreading in Germany, according to researchers.

The Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans fungus first arrived in Europe from Southeast Asia in 2010, wiping out fire salamander populations in Belgium and resulting in severe declines in the Netherlands.

It was first detected in western Germany's Eifel region in 2015, but has recently been found in Essen, nearly 100 kilometers away (60 miles).

"This is a rapid spread and it can occur throughout the country," Sebastian Steinfartz, a researcher at TU Braunschweig's Zoological Institute, told news agency DPA.

The black-and-yellow spotted fire salamander is one of the best-known species in Europe.

Skin-eating fungus threatens European salamanders Decimating fungus The fungus, once it gains a foothold, causes necrosis of the salamander's skin, basically eating the creature away. European salamanders possess no defenses against the foreign pathogen, which has spread due to trade in amphibians from Asia.

Skin-eating fungus threatens European salamanders Evolutionary resistance Many Asian salamanders and newts carry the fungus, but don't become sick. Like the Japanese fire belly newt pictured above, Asian species have adapted resistance to the fungus over the course of evolution. But rapid change in environment, brought on by global trade, has prevented European salamanders from adjusting.

Skin-eating fungus threatens European salamanders Highly dangerous to amphibians In 2010, in the Netherlands, a sudden mass die-off of fire salamanders alerted researchers to the fungus. By 2013, the population had dwindled to a mere 10 salamanders, which were taken into captivity to develop treatment. Belgian scientists infected 35 species of amphibian with spores, and found that almost all European and North American salamander and newt species were highly susceptible.

Skin-eating fungus threatens European salamanders 'More serious than imagined' This Alpine salamander is also helpless against Batrachochytrum salamandrivorans. The Belgian researchers believe that it may also die out soon. An Martel of the University of Ghent writes in the journal "Science" that the situation is more serious than imagined.

Skin-eating fungus threatens European salamanders Other deadly fungus threatens frogs Frogs, toads and skinks have proven immune to the salamander-eating fungus. But frogs in many parts of the world are fighting the closely related Batrachochytrum dendrobatidis. This fungus has been responsible for massive reductions in frog populations in tropical and subtropical regions.

Skin-eating fungus threatens European salamanders Amphibian extinction crisis In past years, more than 200 species of amphibian have gone extinct around the world. The fungus has played a role in nearly all these cases. But other factors are also important - since amphibians breathe through their skin, they are especially sensitive to chemicals in the environment, such as pesticides. Author: Judith Hartl / sad



Threat of extinction

The fungus causes skin ulcers and tumors that make the fire salamanders susceptible to other diseases. It is highly virulent and spreads rapidly thanks tothick spore walls that increase its longevity.

A study in the journal Nature published in April warned that infected fire salamander populations dropped by 90 percent before eventually being wiped out.

The pathological fungus can spread through the soil, water and air. Birds and frogs also carry the fungus. Other amphibians like newts and toads are also susceptible to the fungus and carry it.

It is believed the fungus spread to Europe through the forestry, agricultural and wildlife trade.

The Nature study found that sexually mature fire salamanders were particularly susceptible to contracting the fungus because they come into contact with other fire salamanders. This, in turn, furthers pressure on the species.

Scientists are worried that fire salamanders could be completely wiped out as they have no immune response and there is no easy way to stop the fungus from spreading.

Matthew C. Fisher, an expert in fungal epidemiology at Imperial College London, in a comment published with the Nature study suggested the only way to save salamanders in Europe may be to keep a population in captivity until the fungus is controlled or a cure is found.

cw/kl (dpa)