Yersinia ruckeri Isolated from Common Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus. 2019
During a routine health inspection of apparently healthy wild-caught common mudpuppies Necturus maculosus, the bacteria Yersinia ruckeri was isolated and the identity confirmed using biochemical and molecular methods. This represents the first isolation of Y. ruckeri from an amphibian. This finding increases the known host range capable of harboring this important fish pathogen and could have serious management implications for aquaculture. Furthermore, addressing wild amphibians in fish hatchery biosecurity plans is discussed.