Close look at new fungus reveals origins, spread of salamander killer

A second chytrid pathogen has struck Europe but hasn’t hit North America yet

fire salamander

SALAMANDERS BEWARE  Skin lesions on the face of a fire salamander show the ravages of a chytrid fungus species discovered last year, now suspected of escaping from Asia. 

Frank Pasmans

A salamander-killing fungus first described in 2013 looks as if it originated in Asia and is hitchhiking around the world in the pet trade.