This is so sad! I'm sure most of you know about the chytrid fungus that is affecting frogs worldwide. It is devastating, and is causing the suspected extinction of many frog species. Scientists, herpatologist and conservation groups are collecting species for captive managemant as they disease can be treated in captivity, but not yet in the wild.
This particular story is about the Mountain Frog of Montserrat. This island is located southeast of Puerto Rico. Within 15 months of the disease arriving on the island, 80% of the frogs have died. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7948124.stm
For more info on all of this you can check out Amphibian Ark http://www.amphibianark.org/. They're working so hard to save our frogs. Remember, frogs are an important part of our ecosystem. Frogs ingest things through their thin skin, so they are an indicator of a troubled water supply.
Take care of yourselves, and I'll talk to you soon.
Andi
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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The April issue of National Geographic magazine features a compelling article on the world's frog populations and their struggle with the deadly fungal disease chytrid. You can check out the story and see a gallery of vanishing amphibians at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/04/amphibian/holland-text
Ann,
Thanks so much for posting the link to this article. It is so informative. Take care!
Andi
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