Green Options » habitat loss

“Extreme” Fungus Found - A Clue to World Frog Declines

Michael Ricciardi — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:34:13 +0000

The Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis) is listed as endangered because of an estimated 50% population decline over the past 10 years.

In the 1980’s, amphibian researchers conducting species inventories in Australia, began noticing dramatic (up to 50%) declines in the populations of certain frogs. Soon, other researchers on other continents were also noting declining species counts, and even near extinctions. Curiously, the frog species that were most affected–many facing imminent extinction–were those whose habitats were at higher elevations. Despite the more extreme environment, pockets of wet soil and cavernous pools persist in these locales, providing adequate habitat for adapted amphibians.

At first this decline was attributed to habitat destruction (and habitat “splitting”), and possibly also some effect from global warming. But many of these locales are extreme–high mountain elevations typically–where habitat destruction was minimal. After extensive study and analysis, a fungus found on many of the endangered frogs (or dominant in their local habitat) was identified: Batrachochytrium dendrobatitis (BD), a member of family of fungi referred to generally as chytrids. Some chytrids are uni-cellular. Although this fungus is strongly associated with the frog declines, how exactly it contributes to frog mortality is unknown. It is possible that the fungus interferes with oxygen transport through the frog’s skin.

Green Options » habitat loss

“Extreme” Fungus Found - A Clue to World Frog Declines

The Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis) is listed as endangered because of an estimated 50% population decline over the past 10 years.

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