The world’s amphibian population is in crisis.
According to a new report from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) more than 41 percent of the world’s amphibian species are now threatened with extinction.
Of the 7815 known amphibian species 3170 are considered to be at risk of extinction.
That includes 1894 species that are “critically endangered” meaning they are facing an “extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.”
The report attributes the decline of amphibians to a variety of factors including habitat loss pollution climate change and the spread of invasive species.
But the most significant threat to amphibians is a fungal disease called chytridiomycosis which has caused population declines in frogs toads and salamanders around the world.
The disease is thought to have originated in Africa and it has spread to nearly every country where amphibians live.
In some areas the disease has caused population declines of up to 99 percent.
The IUCN report paints a grim picture of the future of amphibians but it also highlights some success stories.
The report found that amphibian populations are stable or increasing in 7 percent of the world’s amphibian species.
And thanks to conservation efforts the population of the African painted frog has increased by more than 1000 percent since 1999.
But the overall trend is still very worrisome.
Amphibians are an important part of the ecosystem and their decline could have ripple effects throughout the food chain.
The IUCN report is a call to action for governments businesses and ordinary citizens to do more to protect amphibians and their habitats.
Sources:
https://www.iucn.org/news/secretariat/2019/amphibians-face-extinction
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/10/science/amphibians-extinction-fungus.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/one-third-of-the-worlds-amphibians-are-on-the-brink-of-extinction/2019/09/10/2a4f4452-d2d9-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html
What is the name of the disease that is causing the decline in the population of frogs?
The disease is called chytridiomycosis and is caused by a fungus.
How does this disease affect the frogs?
The disease attacks the frogs’ skin which is essential for regulating the frogs’ body temperature and keeping them hydrated.
Where did this disease originate?
It is thought that the disease originated in Africa.
How did it spread to other populations of frogs?
It is believed that the disease was spread by the international trade in African frogs for the pet trade.
What populations of frogs are affected by this disease?
The disease has affected many populations of frogs around the world.
How many species of frogs are affected by this disease?
Over 100 species of frogs have been affected by this disease.
What is the primary cause of death for frogs with this disease?
The primary cause of death for frogs with this disease is dehydration.
What is the estimated population of frogs left?
The estimated population of frogs left is 1000.
What is the estimated population of frogs that have died from this disease?
The estimated population of frogs that have died from this disease is 100 million.
When was this disease first discovered?
The disease was first discovered in 1998.
How many tadpoles are affected by this disease?
It is estimated that 70% of tadpoles are affected by this disease.
What is the incubation period for this disease?
The incubation period for this disease is unclear but it is thought to be relatively short.
What is the mortality rate for this disease?
The mortality rate for this disease is estimated to be 100%.
What are the chances of a frog recovering from this disease?
The chances of a frog recovering from this disease are very low.
What is being done to try to save these frogs?
There is no known cure for this disease so efforts are focused on trying to prevent its spread and on captive breeding programs.
