Containing fungal threats to amphibians

Abstract

Conservation In recent decades, parasitic chytrid fungi have infected amphibians around the world. This has resulted in sometimes severe population crashes that have put the survival of a species under threat. In a Perspective, Bower et al. argue that preventing emerging chytrids from reaching uninfected parts of the world, such as New Guinea, is crucial for protecting their amphibian populations. For example, the recent declines in salamanders due to a chytrid emerging in Europe led to a multi-stakeholder effort to prevent its spread to the United States. However, having surveillance plans in place in case of infection is also essential, as has been shown in Madagascar, where recent local chytrid infections have been monitored closely, helping efforts to prioritize conservation measures. Science , this issue p. [454][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aao0500