Genome sequencing reveals origin of killer fungus behind the ’amphibian plague’

A deadly fungus responsible for the devastation of amphibian populations around the world has spread from East Asia, according to new research led by scientists at UCL, Imperial College London and Zoological Society of London. The fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has long been recognised as one the main causes of the decline and extinction of species of frogs, toads, newts and other amphibians across several continents. Bd is distributed around the world but to date it was not known where and when killer strains of the pathogen first emerged. Now, new research published in Science indicates the killer fungus currently ravaging global amphibian populations originated in East Asia. The researchers highlight the need to tighten biosecurity across borders, including a potential ban on trade in amphibians as pets to ensure the survival of vulnerable species. "For some time scientists have recognised that the amphibian killing fungus, Bd, has been behind the worldwide decline in the amphibian species. However, the geographical origin of the pathogen and timing of its worldwide expansion remained unknown.