INTERNATIONAL DISEASES OF FROGS 
Ann Strieby
Class of 2002
University of Georgia
College of Veterinary Medicine

Funding provided by CONVINCE, Consortium of North American Interactive New Concept Education

Several species of frogs have recently become extinct. Many others are on the endangered species list or will be soon. But
why is this of such concern? Frogs are part of a delicate ecosystem balance, and their disappearance will no doubt influence
other species' populations both up and down the food chain. Moreover, some suggest that frogs are sentinels, alerting us of
drastic environmental change that may worsen and affect all other life forms, including humans.

IUCN threatened species map

So what is causing this? Scientists would like to find one single cause to explain it all, but it is more likely that several factors are involved. These include habitat distruction, global warming, excessive UV light, and introduced species. This web page explores another factor that complicates this grim scenario, infectious diseases. Some of these diseases have been known to exist for years, but a few have only recently emerged or identified.

The introduction of an infectious disease may be enough to cause extinction to an already threatened amphibian population--or it may be the threat itself.  

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