Does Chytridiomycosis Affect Tree Frog Attachment?

The pandemic disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a major threat to amphibian biodiversity. For most species, exact mechanisms of chytridiomycosis that lead negative population dynamics remain uncertain, though mounting evidence suggests sublethal effects could be an important driver. In this review, we propose tree frog attachment promising case study Bd infection on amphibians. A synthesis current knowledge functional morphology adhesive toe pads frogs, underlying attachment, and epidermal pathology substantiates hypothesis Bd-induced alterations have potential disrupt attachment. We highlight series (biomechanical) experiments test shed some light chytridiomycosis. generated from such approach contribute future research epidemiology ultimately conservation biodiversity arboreal anurans.