THE KILLER FUNGUS BEHIND THE AMPHIBIAN PLAGUE – A CAUSE FOR GLOBAL BIO SECURITY

Unknown probably to many, a disease has been rampaging againt frog species for decades worldwide.

Frogs tested for chytrid
Source


Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a frog chytrid fungus responsible for the decline and extinction of some species of amphibians across the globe. The plague is traced to as way back as the 1970s though its origin has hitherto remained a mystery to scientists. Its range has been a subject of contention since its discovery. While some believed that the disease originated thousands of years ealier, others were of the view it could not have been that long.


The recent findings of researchers from the Imperial college, London, tends to tally with the latter speculation. They point out that the disease spread most rapidly about 50 – 120 years ago which coincide with the era of global expansion of international trades. They traced the strain of the pathogen of the fungus to East Asia. In other words, human movement of amphibians during the global trade (as through pet trades) was invariably responsible for the rapid spread of the disease from East Asia to other parts of the globe.


Once again, this discovery raises the important question of bio-security in our world. It points to the need for countries to enforce rules and regulations to protect biospecies species especially in countries where such rules are lacking. Countries need to improve/implement regulations/policies to safeguard all species of livings organisms. Seeming unimportant organisms like frogs should not be left out of the policy coz even these sure do have indirect positive impacts on human lives.


P. S.
The Chytrid fungus causes chytridiomycosis in amphibians like frogs. It leads to heart failure/death in frogs, resulting in their decline/extinction of hundreds of its species.

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