Pathology of Chytrid Fungi and Their Role in the Global Decline of Amphibians

A recently identified disease (chytridiomycosis) caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been implicated as the proximate cause of some amphibian population declines in Australia, Central and South America, Europe, and the United States. In the U.S., disease-associated declines have particularly affected the Rocky Mountain boreal toad and the Wyoming toad.

The Wyoming toad is among the most endangered amphibians worldwide, with approximately 200 animals involved in captive breeding programs and estimates of less than 100 individuals remaining in the wild. Recovery of the Wyoming toad has been hampered by outbreaks of chytridiomycosis within the sole remaining wild population and by poor reproductive success and disease issues (chytridiomycosis and vitamin A deficiency) in the captive population. The Wildlife Disease Laboratories at CRES are supporting the Wyoming Toad Species Survival Plan and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Toad Recovery Team by providing diagnostic pathology service and advice regarding disease control and prevention, with the goal of minimizing the impact of these conditions on species recovery efforts. Unique pathology expertise is also provided to biologists studying the role of disease in worldwide amphibian population declines by means of histopathology support for experimental studies and diagnostic evaluation of field samples.

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