Massive frog die off, part two?

[jim mcnamara]

This fungus, a frog pathogen, has caused the extinction of circa 200 species of frogs in the very recent past. Per the article, 695 species of frog are known to be (or were ) susceptible to infection. This is amazing for any pathogen, and until this fungus came to the fore was unheard of:
Betrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)
https://news.nationalgeographic.com...cline-frogs-chytrid-fungi-bd-animals-science/

Next round of amazing pathogens:
Betrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal)
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6389/604 'The hidden biodiversity of amphibian pathogens'
Something new to worry about. We are in a position to stop the spread of the newly discovered pathogen, unlike what happened with Bd after the Korean War. Bd spread worldwide.
[aside]
Maybe they can contain Bsal successfully. Bd is also thought to be one of the main drivers the massive frog die off we have seen.This goes along with estrogen and progesterone (human hormones) derived from human birth control pills moving from people to septic systems into local groundwater, and then into ponds. These molecules are teratogens for frog larvae (tadpoles).
If has been really tough growing up as frog in North America.
[/aside - because I'm not digging up citations, this is just an aside]

Both articles are very interesting and somewhat depressing. I'm biased - I had pet frogs for years.

 

[BillTre]

Bummer!
I have also read (long time ago, no ref.) that once Bd is in an area, it is difficult or impossible to clear it, even if all the frogs are gone, because it can also live in crayfish (without hurting them).

 

[BillTre]

By the way, for those without full access to Science, here is a open access Science mag news article on this subject that I just found.