In 1998, a  newly discovered emerging fungal disease, chytridiomycosis (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), was found to be associated with amphibian mass mortality events and population declines in  Panama and Australia. Since then, the disease has been reported in North America, South America, Africa, and Europe. The Consortium is currently testing hypotheses on what factors drive its emergence and how it causes death in amphibians. We have recently provided evidence that "pathogen pollution", the anthropogenic introdcution of non-native hosts or parasites to new locations is a major factor contributing to this disease's emergence. Dr. Peter Daszak, a co-discoverer of chytridiomycosis, is working with scientists at the University of Geor-

-gia to examine sequence phylogeny of the parasite. Initial data show that it varies little from continent to continent, suggesting recent spread. The bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana , is globally traded as a food item and appears to be relatively resistant to chytridiomycosis. It may serve as an efficient carrier host.

The Consortium has received part of a second National Science Foundation IRCEB award to continue research on bullfrogs and factors affecting chytridiomycosis' emergence. Led by Dr. Jim Collins at Arizona State University, the project includes 27 co-PIs in five countries. The Consortium is also working particularly close with Provita, a Venezuelan conservation NGO, and Dr. Margarita Lampo, at IVIC, Caracas, to survey native Venezuelan amphibians and introduced species for presence of the fungus. Furthermore, the Consortium is collaborating with a group of Bolivian scientists and a Bolivian NGO (Fundacion para la Conservacion del Bosque Chiquitano) to examine remnant, high altitude populations of  Atelopus species for infection. Conservation measures will be implemented to protect naive populations from disease emergence. Other partners include Drs. Andrew Cunningham and Alex Hyatt, both Consortium associates.

The Global Trade in Amphibians: Summary Interim Report of a CCM Study