Pathogenic fungus contributes to amphibian losses in the Pacific Northwest

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Blaustein, Andrew R.; Hokit, D. Grant; O'Hara, Richard K.; Holt, Richard A.

Source:

Biological Conservation, Elsevier Science Ltd., Volume 67, Issue 3, p.251-254 (1994)

Call Number:

A94BLA01IDUS

URL:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0006320794906165

Keywords:

amphibian declines, Anaxyrus boreas, Bufo, Bufo boreas, fungus, Saprolegnia, SWAP, Western Toad

Abstract:

Worldwide declines in amphibian populations have been the subject of numerous recent reports, and numerous hypotheses have been constructed to address the causes. The authors identify and describe the spread of a pathogenic fungus that appears to be largely responsible for egg mortality in one population of western toad Bufo boreas [Anaxyrus boreas]. This study is the first to document contemporary mortality in an amphibian population with identification of the attributed pathogenic species. The fungus the authors identify is circumglobally distributed, and they suggest that this fungal infection could also be a major contributor to other amphibians’ population declines.

Notes:

ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology

SWAP (2/19/2016) citation:
Blaustein AR, Grant Hokit D, O'Hara RK, Holt RA. 1994. Pathogenic fungus contributes to amphibian losses in the Pacific Northwest. [accessed 2015 Dec 4]; Biological Conservation. 67(3):251–254. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0006320794906165.