Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans found in Belgium and the Nederlands in 2013
Species name: Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans
Commen name: -
Synonyms: -
Group: Fungi
Family: Not assigned yet
Natural range: Asia (Thailand, Japan, Vietnam)
Introduced range: The Nederlands and Belgium
Impact: Threat to native amphibians
Pathway of introduction: It is unclear how the species has arrived to Belgium and the Nederlands, but probable unintentional introduction through import of exotic species of salamanders
Additional information: The species is lethal to at least some of the salamandrid species (genera Taricha and Notophthalmus).
In the Nederlands they have done a lot of research investigation the survival time of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in different substrates, and the pathways for introduction and spread. They wait for more research, both in the meantime general hygiene protocols are relevant, like the one for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (See Dutch protocol of RAVON here. An NGO that does research on amfibians, reptiles and fish species).