The Ecology of Chytridiomycosis in Eastern Australia

Abstract

Rapid amphibian population declines and extinctions have occurred worldwide in recent decades, often in protected areas where no obvious human disturbance can be identified. Chytridiomycocis is an emerging infectious disease caused by Batrachochutrium dendrobatidis, a chytrid fungus that parasitizes the keratinized epidermis of post-metamorphic amphibians and the mouthparts of tadploes. Batrachochutrium dendrobatidis has been detected in over 200 amphibian species from five continents, and has been diagnosed in dead and dying frogs concurrent with population declines, extirpations and extinctions. Chytriiomycocis is thus considered a primary explanation for the global loss of amphibian biodiversity in recent decades.