Amphibian chytrid fungus
Abstract. The sudden appearance of chytridiomycosis, the cause of amphibian deaths and population declines in several continents, suggests that its etiologic agent, the amphibian chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, was introduced into the affected regions. One of the biggest threats facing amphibian species and population survival worldwide is the disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (1, 2). In New Zealand, both native and introduced species have been affected by chytridiomycosis. Amphibian declines were first seen in 1995, when dead specimens of a rare endemic, Leiopelma archeyi (Archey's frog), were collected on Tokeata Ridge in the Coromandel Peninsula, North Island, following a drought (Bell et al. Bd has been found on all continents where amphibians occur; in other words, every continent except Antarctica (Fisher et al. 2009). Bd has also been linked with serious declines almost everywhere that amphibians occur (North, Central, and South America, Australia, Africa, and Europe; Van Sluys and Hero 2010). This disease is believed to have caused amphibian population declines in Australia, South America, North America, Central America, New Zealand, Europe, and Africa, and has been implicated in the extinction of some species of frogs. This potentially lethal skin disease is caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which has been detected on hundreds of species of amphibians in 35+ countries. Page Content. Chytrid (pronounced kit-rid) fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) causes the disease known as chytridiomycosis or chytrid infection which currently threatens Tasmania's native amphibians. The fungus infects the skin of frogs destroying its structure and function, and can ultimately cause death.  Chytridiomycosis caused by the fungus B. dendrobatidis predominantly affects the outermost layers of skin containing keratin. When most species reach a B. dendrobatidis threshold of 10,000 zoospores, they are not able to breathe, hydrate, osmoregualte, or thermoregulate correctly. Range [edit]. The geographic range of chytridiomycosis is difficult to ascertain. If it occurs, the disease is only present where the fungus B. dendrobatidis is present. However, the disease is not always present where the fungus is. Chytridiomycosis is a disease that afflicts amphibians, caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus (scientific name: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). Chytrid fungi have been on the Earth for millions of years, but most of them do not negatively affect living animals.  Chytridiomycosis has been linked to dramatic population declines or even extinctions of amphibian species in western North America, Central America, South America, eastern Australia, and Dominica and Montserrat in the Caribbean. Much of the New World is also at risk of the disease arriving within the coming years. Range [edit]. The geographic range of chytridiomycosis is difficult to ascertain. If it occurs, the disease is only present where the fungus B. dendrobatidis is present. However, the disease is not always present where the fungus is. Chytridiomycosis is a serious infectious disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a zoosporic fungus related to water molds. The fungus feeds on keratin, a protein found in the outermost layers of the skin, and survives in most environments, even without a host.  (Redirected from Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, (bə-TRAY-koh-KIT-ri-um DEN-droh-bə-teye-dis) also known as Bd or the amphibian chytrid fungus, is a chytrid fungus that causes the disease chytridiomycosis in amphibians. 
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what is chytridiomycosis caused by