Incidence of emerging pathogens in legal and illegal amphibian trade in Spain

Here, we report the presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and ranavirus in 11% of tested individuals in legal amphibian trade fairs in Spain. Although none of the Bd infected animals in trade fairs presented disease symptoms, symptoms of ranavirosis were observed in some specimens which were nonetheless still offered for sale. None of the traders who were selling infected animals showed interest in engaging in collaboration to control infections when offered for free. In addition, a large private urodele collection confiscated by the police in Barcelona comprised a number of illegally wild-caught species. Many confiscated individuals presented signs of poor welfare and several were positive for Bd.  Leer más.