Amphibians serve an important role in ecosystems and are often used as a marker for the overall health of an environment. Unfortunately, one of the main threats to amphibian survival worldwide is disease, and this threat continues to grow. USGS scientists are actively conducting research and working with partners to address a variety of amphibian diseases, including: 🔹Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd): Bd is a species of chytrid fungus and the causative agent of the infectious disease chytridiomycosis. In the last three decades, Bd has caused the catastrophic decline or extinction of more than 200 species of frogs. 🔹Bsal: A close relative of Bd, Bsal is an emerging pathogen capable of causing significant morbidity and mortality in salamanders. 🔹Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV): This virus previously only found in fish was detected by USGS scientists for the first time in a popular pet newt species in 2015. Recent testing has revealed that tadpoles and larval salamanders of...