Effects of the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus on Enzootic and Epizootic Dynamics: Understanding the impact of Amphibian Chytrid Fungus on populations and ecosystems

Abstract

Chytridiomycosis, the disease caused by thechytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis(Bd), has contributed to amphibian population declines and extinctionsworldwide. Biotic and biotic components of the environment may mitigate orexacerbate effects of pathogens on their hosts through direct or indirectmechanisms. The impact of this pathogen, however, varies markedly amongamphibian species and populations.