Chytridiomycosis In Amphibians: A Presentation Hosted By Reptile Study Group Kenya

Save The Frogs Art from Anya Ryzhokhina Purple Frog

Introduction

Join SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger and the Reptile Study Group of Kenya for a discussion on the challenges facing amphibian conservation, with a focus on the role of the potentially lethal skin disease chytridiomycosis. The event takes place online April 2nd, 2023 at 3pm Nairobi time. Please contact us for login info.

We will be joined by special guest Tim James, a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan and the Curator of Fungi at the University Herbarium. Tim will explain what chytrids are and discuss the bullfrog market, virulence and geographic origins of the fungi, and his lab’s Hymenochirus model. Tim researches fungi using genetic approaches to better understand their evolutionary history, ecology, in particular the mysterious ways in which fungi reproduce. Since the chytridiomycosis panzootic was recognized he has focused on understanding origins of the disease and developing a culture repository for investigation of pathogen biology.

reptile study group kenya chytrid poster

If you have questions you would like answered during the event, please post them in the SAVE THE FROGS! Discord community’s #disease channel.

Frog on leaf art atop page was created by SAVE THE FROGS! Graphic Design Volunteer Anya Ryzhokhina.