Potential risk of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Mexico

PLoS One. 2019 Feb 12;14(2):e0211960. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211960. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The recent decline in populations of European salamanders caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) has generated worldwide concern, as it is a major threat to amphibians. Evaluation of the areas most suitable for the establishment of Bsal combined with analysis of the distribution of salamander species could be used to generate and implement biosecurity measures and protect biodiversity at sites with high salamander diversity. In this study, we identified the areas most suitable for the establishment of Bsal in Mexico. Mexico has the second-highest salamander species diversity in the world; thus, we identified areas moderately to highly suitable for the establishment of Bsal with high salamander diversity as potential hotspots for surveillance. Central and Southern Mexico were identified as high-risk zones, with 13 hotspots where 30% of Mexican salamander species occur, including range-restricted species and endangered species. We propose that these hotspots should be thoroughly monitored for the presence of Bsal to prevent the spread of the pathogen if it is introduced to the country.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution
  • Animals
  • Biodiversity
  • Chytridiomycota / pathogenicity*
  • Demography
  • Endangered Species / statistics & numerical data
  • Mexico
  • Population Surveillance
  • Urodela / growth & development*
  • Urodela / microbiology

Grants and funding

MDB was supported with a scholarship by Programa de Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, UNAM and CONACyT (CVU/Becario: 509293/288791). GPO was supported by DGAPA-UNAM and CONACyT while on sabbatical at the University of Otago, New Zealand. This research was supported by grants from the Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT-UNAM) IN203617 to GPO.