Fight against the salamander plague: Research from Trier shows urgent danger!

Fight against the salamander plague: Research from Trier shows urgent danger!

The importance of protecting biodiversity is gaining increasing attention, particularly due to current threats such as the skin fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, also known as salamander plague. Environment Minister Katrin Eder underlines the important contribution of a research project at the University of Trier to combating this threat. This project aims to understand the effects of Bsal on amphibian populations and develop countermeasures to control and slow its spread, such as uni-trier.de reported.

Bsal represents a serious threat characterized by high mortality in fire salamander populations. The fungus was first detected in Rhineland-Palatinate in 2017 and has now spread to other amphibian species, including various newts and the midwife toad. The pathogenic fungus probably came from Asia to Central Europe through the international animal trade. The research team led by Prof. Dr. Stefan Lötters and Prof. Dr. Michael Veith is responsible for ensuring that Bsal continues to spread in the region.

Research approach and methods

A central element of the project is ex-situ conservation breeding, which is implemented by a network of zoos and private actors. These measures aim to protect the still healthy amphibian populations while monitoring the spread of the fungus. Dr. Philipp Böning, one of the main authors of the project, emphasizes the importance of conducting skin swabs on salamanders and newts in the Eifel. These samples serve to systematically record and document the occurrence of Bsal.

In addition, disinfection measures, such as shoe disinfection, are used to minimize the risk of further spread of the skin fungus. Eder appealed to the public to prepare for a possible nationwide spread of the fungus and coordinated with a variety of institutions involved in this important project.

International cooperation

The project extends across several countries and institutions. Those involved include the Department of Biogeography at the University of Trier, the University of Milan, St. Michael College in the Netherlands and various renowned research institutes in France, Spain and Austria. This international collaboration is essential to collect comprehensive data and develop effective strategies against salamander plague. The authors of the project have also declared that they have no conflicts of interest during their research.

The commitment of the University of Trier and the scientists involved shows how necessary and urgent the protection of biodiversity is. Since the loss of species and the decline in their habitats do not simply have local effects, but can affect the entire environment and ecosystem, such research projects are an important step in the right direction. Further information can be found on the Bundestag website.