By By Tim Sandle Jan 1, 2013 in Environment Many of the planet's population of frogs are in danger from a fungal infection that is killing them off by the thousands. The fungus could lead to multiple extinctions of frog species. It is thought that, according to the U.S. Infection with Bd is transmitted by a form of the fungus called a zoospore. The zoospore can swim through water or moist environments. Zoospores spread from place to place are in water, moist or wet materials or on the skin of infected amphibians. Signs of infection include reddened or otherwise discolored skin, excessive shedding of skin, abnormal postures, unnatural behaviors, or seizures. Bd is a very important fungus because it appears to be capable of infecting most of the world’s approximately 6,000 amphibian species. Many of those species develop the disease chytridiomycosis which is linked to devastating population declines and species extinctions. Infection with Bd has been called, according to the Scientists, as a University of California Various campaigns have been established to protect endangered amphibians, such as the conservation charity ' The fungus is called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and it targets frogs and other amphibians (the name of the fungus is derived from the Greek words batracho (frog) and chytr (earthen pot)). B. dendrobatidis is a type of chytrid fungus that causes the disease chytridiomycosis. The fungus, first identified in 1998, is generally described by scientists as 'Bd'.It is thought that, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control , Bd originated in Africa and subsequently spread to other parts of the world by trade in African clawed frogs. These frogs are commonly sold for cooking and eating. Bd has now been reported to be killing frogs on every continent except Asia and Antarctica. It has been estimated , by the San Francisco State University, that Bd has killed off more than 200 amphibian species across the globe.Infection with Bd is transmitted by a form of the fungus called a zoospore. The zoospore can swim through water or moist environments. Zoospores spread from place to place are in water, moist or wet materials or on the skin of infected amphibians.Signs of infection include reddened or otherwise discolored skin, excessive shedding of skin, abnormal postures, unnatural behaviors, or seizures.Bd is a very important fungus because it appears to be capable of infecting most of the world’s approximately 6,000 amphibian species. Many of those species develop the disease chytridiomycosis which is linked to devastating population declines and species extinctions. Infection with Bd has been called, according to the Amphibian Ark , “the worst infectious disease ever recorded among vertebrates in terms of the number of species impacted, and it’s propensity to drive them to extinction."Scientists, as a University of California research note suggests, are struggling to deal with the spread of the fungus. This is despite international collaboration and considerable research effort. Scientists do not fully understand the mechanism by which the fungus rapidly spreads, the origin of the species and how exactly it kills frogs.Various campaigns have been established to protect endangered amphibians, such as the conservation charity ' Save the Frogs '. More about Fungus, bd fungus, Frogs, Amphibians, Infection More news from Fungus bd fungus Frogs Amphibians Infection