Trade and the Spread of Disease

Trade and the Spread of Disease Photo

Renowned for their ribbits (actually, their bellows), American bullfrogs are less well known for their role in the international wildlife trade. The commercial trade in amphibians is especially prevalent in Southeast Asia, where frogs are sought as pets, food, bait, and for use in traditional medicine. American bullfrogs are a common species in the trade—and as it turns out, they’re also a vector for disease. WCS scientists recently teamed up with the National University of Singapore to study the spread of one of the most damaging amphibian pathogens, chytrid fungus. Learn more from our press release.

© Larry Master