The Baw Baw frog (Philoria frosti) is an endangered amphibian that can only be found on the plateau and escarpment area of Mount Baw Baw, Australia (Department of Sustainability and Environment [DSE] 2011, para. 1). Baw Baw frogs on the plateau inhabit sub-alpine woodland and heathland, whereas on the escarpment area, these frogs typically inhabit rainforests (DSE 2011, para. 1).

​

The Baw Baw frog lives amongst leaf litter on the ground of its environment and feeds on invertebrates such as worms (Zoos Victoria n.d. para. 3). Baw Baw frogs are vital contributors to a healthy ecosystem. They help regulate invertebrate numbers and nutrient flows as well as serve as a source of food for other organisms (Banks sited in Ferguson 2015).

​

However, since the late 1980’s, Baw Baw frog numbers have dropped by more than 98% (Zoos Victoria n.d., para. 2). This decline is due to chytridiomycosis which is an infectious disease that affects amphibians (Whittaker & Vredenburg 2011, para. 1). Chytridiomycosis is caused by the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)  (Whittaker & Vredenburg 2011, para. 1).

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Chytrid fungus infects keratin containing skin cells causing the skin to thicken and slough off (Berger et al. cited in Whittaker & Vredenburg 2011, para. 3). As a result, osmotic and electrolyte regulation is compromised and the infected frog dies from cardiac arrest (Voyles et al. cited in Whittaker & Vredenburg 2011, para. 3).

​

During the past half-century, chytridiomycosis has caused declines in population numbers of at least 501 species of amphibian (Scheele et al. 2019). From this number, 90 species have either been ‘confirmed or presumed extinct in the wild’ (Scheele et al. 2019). The impacts of Bd are comparable to both rodents and cats which threaten 420 and 430 species, respectively (Scheele et al. 2019). Not all amphibians are affected by the chytrid fungus equally, some species appear unaffected while others are highly susceptible and die from infection (Van Rooij et al. 2015).

​

To help save amphibians, scientists have conducted laboratory work on samples from across the globe to discover where this fungus originated from, how this fungus affects frogs and why different species of frogs are affected differently.    

​

Tom’s research involves sampling wild frogs and the environment to determine the prevalence and spread of the chytrid fungus on the plateau and escarpment area of Mount Baw Baw (Deakin University 2019, p. 47). Melbourne Zoo is currently running a breeding program to help prevent the extinction of this species (Zoos Victoria n.d. para. 5). Areas where the threat of the fungus is found to be low will be where Melbourne Zoo hope to one day reintroduce the frog (Deakin University 2019, p. 47).