Experimental research to obtain a better understanding of the epidemiology, transmission and dispersal of amphibian chytrid fungus in Australian ecosystems
Threat abatement project
Final report to Department of the Environment and Heritage on RFT 42/2004
Dr Lee Skerratt BAnSc BVSc PhD MACVSc (Epidemiology), Principal Research Fellow, Amphibian Disease Ecology Group, School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University
About this report
This is the final report for the project Experimental research to obtain a better understanding of the epidemiology, transmission and dispersal of amphibian chytrid fungus in Australian ecosystems. The report describes factors such as environmental characteristics which favour this serious amphibian pathogen, the potential means of its spread and management implications arising from research outcomes. The rediscovery of the armoured mist frog (Litoria lorica) in a situation offering environmental refuge from the fungus is also detailed. This species had previously been thought to be extinct.
Related research
This research was undertaken by the Amphibian Disease Ecology Group at James Cook University. The same group undertook the linked project Experimental research to obtain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of chytridiomycosis, and the susceptibility and resistance of key amphibian species to chytridiomycosis in Australia.