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Chytrid A Deadly Fungus
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Bd, is a type of chytrid fungus discovered in 1999 that attacks the skin of amphibians. This fungus is more commonly called chytrid. The fungus allows the buildup of keratin on the outer layer of the skin of amphibians. Amphibians drink through their skin and some even breathe through their skin. The buildup of keratin stops these processes. This epidemic is almost worldwide, and is responsible for killing entire populations of amphibians in the wild. This fungus had been killing amphibians for over 20 years, and today we are just scratching the surface know about how is spreads and its environmental impact. According to the Global Amphibian Assessment, there are approximately 6,000 known species of amphibians. As many as 165 amphibian species may already be extinct. With at least 43% of all species of amphibians declining in population, this is the largest extinction since the dinosaurs.
A few species of amphibians are resistant to the fungus, but are still carriers. Chytrid is spread through the transfer of its zoospores. Zoospores are reproductive cells of fungi. The zoospores are transferred through moisture. An infected animal can transfer the fungus through direct contact or contact with moist caging, furnishings, or water from its habitat. For more information please visit: Amphibian Ark. This fungus could devastate the hobby and the ownership of pet amphibians.
