In This Issue

Excerpt

The fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) causes the disease chytridiomycosis, which has driven the decline or extinction of hundreds of amphibian species. Variation in host life history traits affects infection dynamics of this pathogen. Sette et al. compared seasonal patterns and historical emergence of Bd in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains using historical museum and field-caught specimens of salamanders and anuran species. Castro et al. conducted a systematic review of published papers and compiled a database with records of B. dendrobatidis infection. The group recorded over 800 confirmed host species, revealing how widespread and adaptable B. dendrobatidis is. The pathogen infected about 50% of all tested amphibian species and was present in 76 countries. …