Another Anthropogenic threat to species

Another Anthropogenic threat to species: Pet Trade leads to pathogen threat to salamanders. Science magazine published an article (July 21, 2017) concerning a pathogen that is threatening European salamander species that is caused by pets being traded into Europe from Asia. The article has excellent photos of the species. The researchers who identified the problem say the solution is to prevent future introductions of the pathogen especially to North America where the world’s largest population of salamanders exists. Tbey don’t support a total ban on trade in the species but instead would allow trade in captive-raised salamanders that have been tested because, they argue, a complete ban would push the trade underground with no controls. Read the article: Saving Europe’s Salamanders: Belgian couple discovered a lethal new threat to amphibians. Now, they wonder: Can it be stopped? By Erik Stokstad, Science, July 21, 2017 v357, #6348 242-245