M. Camille Harris Daniel A. Grear M. J. Adams 2017 <p class="p1">A deadly fungal pathogen, <i>Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans </i>(<i>Bsal</i>) that affects amphibian skin was discovered during a die-off of European fire salamanders (<i>Salamandra salamandra</i>) in 2014. This pathogen has the potential to worsen already severe worldwide amphibian declines. <i>Bsal </i>is a close relative to another fungal disease known as <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis </i>(<i>Bd</i>). Many scientists consider <i>Bd </i>to be the greatest threat to amphibian biodiversity of any disease because it affects a large number of species and has the unusual ability to drive species and populations to extinction.<br></p><p class="p2">Although not yet detected in the United States, the emergence of <i>Bsal </i>could threaten the salamander population, which is the most diverse in the world. The spread of <i>Bsal </i>likely will lead to more State and federally listed threatened or endangered amphibian species, and associated economic effects.</p><p class="p2">Because of the concern expressed by resource management agencies, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has made <i>Bsal </i>and similar pathogens a priority for research.</p> application/pdf 10.3133/fs20173013 en U.S. Geological Survey Early action to address an emerging wildlife disease reports