32% of amphibian species are now on the IUCN Red List, compared to 23% of mammals and 12% of birds. 486 species of amphibians are now critically endangered, and things only set to get worse. Many factors – such as a climate change, UV, pollution, habitat destruction etc. have roles in loss of amphibian biodiversity, yet a large percentage of the cause is unknown. Since 1999, a new emerging infectious disease – Amphibian Chytridiomycosis – is believed to play a substantial part is this massacre. This blog will discuss the disease, the infectious agent and control of this fungal predator wiping out frogs all over the globe.
Stevens et al. (2008) Threatened Amphibians of the World, Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain
Amphibian Chytridiomycosis 