Global Declines of Amphibians

摘要: Abstract Global declines of amphibians refer to the phenomenon population and even extinctions amphibian species around world. Assessments world's found that nearly a third known are globally threatened with extinction at least 42% experiencing losses. The rapidity extent these declines, far more dramatic than those described for birds, mammals, or reptiles, forecast impending numerous during coming decades. Many have occurred in protected areas where causes remained enigmatic. Other due obvious reasons, particularly habitat destruction, but number enigmatic is increasing caused greatest alarm. Although climate change has been invoked as potential contributing factor, evidence mounting epidemics infectious disease may be primarily responsible many catastrophic declines. threat presented by virulent fungal pathogen can cause chytridiomycosis, which decimated entire assemblages worldwide. This pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, what well disease-caused loss biodiversity recorded history, having crashes (often within single year) 200 frogs, relatively undisturbed, remote habitats. Compounding crisis, suffer from low levels conservation effort compared other vertebrate taxa. survived mass global throughout their million year speed magnitude this supports idea earth now midst sixth extinction, similar wiped out nonavian dinosaurs.