A declining amphibian conundrum

The Puzzle of Declining Amphibian Populations

Perhaps our fascination with frogs and other amphibians starts in childhood, with the discovery of tadpoles and the observation of their metamorphosis. But for many adults today, interest stems more from observation of another type of change: amphibian populations in many parts of the world seem to be dwindling, and some groups are disappearing from their native habitats completely. The loss--f...

Evidence of Retinal Light Damage in Rana cascadae: A Declining Amphibian Species

Introduced trout sever trophic connections in watersheds: consequences for a declining amphibian.

Trophic linkages between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are increasingly recognized as important yet poorly known features of food webs. Here we describe research to understand the dynamics of lake food webs in relation to a native riparian amphibian and its interaction with introduced trout. The mountain yellow-legged frog Rana muscosa is endemic to alpine watersheds of the Sierra Nevada M...

Chicken Little or Nero's Fiddle? A Perspective on Declining Amphibian Populations

Rapid Global Expansion of the Fungal Disease Chytridiomycosis into Declining and Healthy Amphibian Populations

The fungal disease chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is enigmatic because it occurs globally in both declining and apparently healthy (non-declining) amphibian populations. This distribution has fueled debate concerning whether, in sites where it has recently been found, the pathogen was introduced or is endemic. In this study, we addressed the molecular population gen...