Climate as a gatekeeper: Unexpected absence of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in an Asian Chytrid hotspot suggests a narrow climatic niche for the pathogen

we conducted an extensive survey for <em>Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans </em>across the Guangxi region of Southern China, now considered a <em>B. dendrobatidis</em> hotspot. We examined 1230 individuals from 38 amphibian species and 36 environmental water bodies sampled. However, PCR testing revealed absence of <em>B. salamandrivorans </em> in our samples. A subsequent niche modeling analysis for <em>B.salamandrivorans </em> suggested that the bioclimatic conditions of much of the region may not be conducive to <em>B. salamandrivorans </em>.