Chytridiomycosis in Amphibians

Chytridiomycosis is an emerging fungal disease caused by members of the genus Batrachochytrium. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been implicated in declines in wild amphibian populations worldwide. The pathogen is able to infect various groups of amphibians, including anurans, urodeles, and caecilians. B. dendrobatidis is one of the most common pathogens related to diseases in captive amphibian collections. A second species—Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans—was recently described as a threat for European salamanders, and appears to have originated in Asia where it is prevalent in Asian urodeles. This article presents an overview on the biology of these panzootic fungi, including pathology, diagnosis, and possible protocols for treatment and ecological aspects as well.