Deadly Amphibian Disease Found in Panama

The disease is responsible for the extinction of some species of amphibians around the world.
From observation the researchers the National Zoo in Washington, United States, it is known that a disease that spreads very rapidly amphibians have achieved disease free region in Central America.

The findings of chytridiomycosis in the Darien region, Panama is a big problem for Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project, a consortium consisting of 9 institutions United States and Panama are trying to save 20 species of frogs threatened with extinction.

Chytridiomycosis himself touted as the cause of derailment or extinction of many species of amphibian populations worldwide.

"We want to save amphibian species in the Darien, but currently there is no time anymore to do it," said Brian Gratwicke, a biologist from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and coordinator for the project in Panama. "Our project is just one of the few active efforts to confront the possibility of extinction of these species," he said.

In 2007, Doug Woodhams, researchers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have examined the health of 49 frogs on the border of Darien and none were detected positive disease. But in January 2010, are known to have 2 percent of the 93 frogs examined, suffering from chytridiomycosis.

"Finding chytridiomycosis in frogs that live on the border of Darien happen much faster than expected," says Woodhams. "The spread very rapidly and constantly from the fungus causes chytridiomycosis is very worrying,"