Figures
Winter is coming— Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) becomes deadlier at colder temperatures
A new fungus (Bsal) is spreading across Europe and wreaking havoc on salamander biodiversity. This pathogen thrives in cool, moist environments; conditions common in North America. If Bsal is introduced to North America, the eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is one species that could face extinction. Because Bsal becomes deadlier as temperatures drop, the onset of winter could escalate outbreaks. Eastern newts also live longest with the disease at the coldest temperatures, providing greater opportunities for transmission, which the authors equate to a “White Walker Effect” (sensu HBO GoT). Indeed, entire populations of salamanders could be wiped out by Bsal in winter months without even being noticed. Carter et al.
Image Credit: Todd Amacker Conservation Photography, 2020
Citation: (2021) PLoS Pathogens Issue Image | Vol. 17(2) March 2021. PLoS Pathog 17(2): ev17.i02. https://doi.org/10.1371/image.ppat.v17.i02
Published: March 2, 2021
Copyright: © 2021 . This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
A new fungus (Bsal) is spreading across Europe and wreaking havoc on salamander biodiversity. This pathogen thrives in cool, moist environments; conditions common in North America. If Bsal is introduced to North America, the eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is one species that could face extinction. Because Bsal becomes deadlier as temperatures drop, the onset of winter could escalate outbreaks. Eastern newts also live longest with the disease at the coldest temperatures, providing greater opportunities for transmission, which the authors equate to a “White Walker Effect” (sensu HBO GoT). Indeed, entire populations of salamanders could be wiped out by Bsal in winter months without even being noticed. Carter et al.
Image Credit: Todd Amacker Conservation Photography, 2020