The chytrid fungus in the Netherlands

"Environmental Determinants of Recent Endemism of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infections in Amphibian Assemblages in the Absence of Disease Outbreaks" is the title of a new paper by Annemarieke Spitzen-van der Sluijs and collaborators. It describes the distribution and effects of the chytrid fungus in the Netherlands. While Bd appears to be widespread, it does not seem to have a strong negative effect on amphibians. Link to the abstract: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cobi.12281/abstract

Frogmarching to disaster

Frogmarching to disaster | mydigitalfc.com



The most significant catchphrase of our times is ‘threatened by
extinction.’ Frogs are no exception, after having thrived on earth for
aeons, just like other hapless species. The tragic part is that the true
groundswell of concern for their impending doom, or plight, is yet to
gain momentum on a global scale, like other environmental issues. If
this is not just the tip of the iceberg, but a ‘titanic’ leapfrog to
disaster, what is? Go figure.