Frogs of Panama

The primary threat to Panama's amphibian fauna is chytridiomycosis, a highly infectious fungal disease that arrived in western Panama in 1996. Since that time, the chytrid fungus has moved rapidly eastward across the country, obliterating most of western Panama's high-altitude amphibian populations. Streams that used to have 50 species now have only a few, and populations have shown virtually no recovery. Chytridiomycosis has likely driven 19 species to extinction (though a few of these species still survive in small numbers in captive breeding facilities).

The chytrid fungus currently occurs only west of the Panama Canal, but it will require a concerted effort to prevent its arrival in eastern Panama. Should it cross the canal, it would likely wreak similar havoc on the highly biodiverse amphibian fauna of eastern Panama.

Fifty-one of Panama's amphibian species are threatened with extinction, and there are an additional 27 species for which there is simply not enough data for us to determine population trends. Unfortunately, Panama has an extreme shortage of manpower and funding, with only five full-time resident herpetologists. There is clearly a need for increased amphibian research and conservation efforts in Panama.

If you like these photos, please have a look at my frog posters and calendars available in the Frog Store. All proceeds go to SAVE THE FROGS! amphibian conservation projects. And if that's not cool enough, you get a free SAVE THE FROGS bumper sticker with your purchase!

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