SALAMANDRA 56(3): 189–214 Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in the Ruhr District, Germany SALAMANDRA 15 August 2020 ISSN 0036–3375 German Journal of Herpetology Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in the Ruhr District, Germany: history, distribution, decline dynamics and disease symptoms of the salamander plague Vanessa Schulz1,2, Alina Schulz2, Marine Klamke2, Kathleen Preissler1, Joana Sabino-Pinto2, Mathias Müsken3, Martin Schlüpmann4, Lorenz Heldt2, Felix Kamprad1, Julian Enss5, Maximilian Schweinsberg6, Jonas Virgo6, Hannah Rau6, Michael Veith7, Stefan Lötters7, Norman Wagner7, Sebastian Steinfartz1 & Miguel Vences2 1) University of Leipzig, Institute of Biology, Molecular Evolution and Systematics of Animals, Talstr. 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany 2) Technische Universität Braunschweig, Zoological Institute, Mendelssohnstr. 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany 3) Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Central Facility for Microscopy, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany 4) Biological Station of Western Ruhr District, Ripshorster Str. 306, 46117 Oberhausen, Germany 5) University of Duisburg-Essen, Aquatic Ecology Department, Universitätsstr. 5, 45141 Essen, Germany 6) University of Bochum, Evolution and Biodiversity, Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany 7) Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Universitätsring 15, 54296 Trier, Germany Corresponding author: Miguel Vences, e-mail:
[email protected] Manuscript received: 25 March 2020 Accepted: 11 May 2020 by Jörn Köhler Abstract. The chytrid fungusBatrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), recently introduced from Asia to Europe, causes mortality in numerous species of salamanders and newts and has led to catastrophic declines and local extinctions of the European fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Due to the continu- ous spread of the pathogen, Germany can be considered as the current ‘hotspot’ of Bsal-driven salamander declines.