Abstract :
Byline: Stefan Lotters (1), Jos Kielgast (2), Jon Bielby (3), Sebastian Schmidtlein (4), Jaime Bosch (5), Michael Veith (1), Susan F. Walker (6), Matthew C. Fisher (6), Dennis Rodder (1) Keywords: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; bioclimate; chytridiomycosis; IUCN Red List; MaxEnt; species distribution model Abstract: Amphibians are globally declining and approximately one-third of all species are threatened with extinction. Some of the most severe declines have occurred suddenly and for unknown reasons in apparently pristine habitats. It has been hypothesized that these "rapid enigmatic declines" are the result of a panzootic of the disease chytridiomycosis caused by globally emerging amphibian chytrid fungus. In a Species Distribution Model, we identified the potential distribution of this pathogen. Areas and species from which rapid enigmatic decline are known significantly overlap with those of highest environmental suitability to the chytrid fungus. We confirm the plausibility of a link between rapid enigmatic decline in worldwide amphibian species and epizootic chytridiomycosis. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Am Wissenschaftspark 25-27, 54296, Trier, Germany (2) Department of Biology, Section for Microbiology and Evolution, Copenhagen University, Universitetsparken 15, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark (3) Department of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus Ascot, London, SL5 7PY, UK (4) Department of Geography, Bonn University, Meckenheimer Allee 166, 53115, Bonn, Germany (5) Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, C/Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain (6) Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Hospital, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK Article History: Registration Date: 11/01/2010 Received Date: 17/04/2009 Accepted Date: 22/11/2009 Online Date: 12/03/2010