Surveillance Of The Pathogens of the genus Batrachochytrium In European Amphibians.
Supervisor: doc. Ing. Jiří Vojar, Ph.D
Annotation:
The recently discovered chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) has a severe impact on many European newts and salamanders. The first pathogen-related mass mortalities have been recorded in wild populations of fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) in the Netherlands. Further surveillance in wild populations of caudates extended our knowledge on Bsal presence by Belgium and Germany. Recently, the fungus was detected in northern Spain, more than 1,000 km far from the previously known area of Bsal occurrence in Europe. In private amphibian collections, the pathogen has been found in five European countries – Belgium, Germany,
the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. However, there is a lack of information on Bsal presence in many European countries, especially in the east and partially in south Europe. Therefore, the goal of this dissertation is to focus on southern Europe, mainly on Italy, where is nearly a lack of any information. The samples (skin swabs) will be collected within international cooperation in wild populations and captive collections of urodelan amphibians. The presence of pathogen DNA will be detected by PCR and qPCR in the molecular laboratory of FŽP (PCR) and at Veterinary Faculty in Brno (qPCR) and testing new methodologies like eDNA and LAMP. According to the results, proper measures will be proposed, to protect amphibian diversity.