Surveillance before an outbreak
A diverse region facing an introduced pathogen.
The Iberian Peninsula supports a rich diversity of salamanders and newts, including several native taxa with highly restricted ranges. Most are susceptible to Bsal, an Asian fungus that has already been introduced accidentally into a natural park near Barcelona.
The study assessed the susceptibility of Iberian urodeles and screened almost 1,500 animals representing every species found in Spain. Beyond the known outbreak site, Bsal was not detected elsewhere in the country.
This encouraging result does not remove the risk of further introductions. Early detection depends on continued surveillance and prompt reports of dead animals or individuals with visible skin lesions.
Detecting an outbreak early can radically alter its impact.
