Killer frog disease part of Earth's sixth mass extinction<br /><br />Killer frog disease 'part of Earth's sixth mass extinction'<br /><br />A fungus that kills amphibians is responsible for the biggest documented loss of nature from a single disease, say researchers.<br /><br />The disease, chytridiomycosis, has caused mass die-offs in frogs, toads and salamanders over the past 50 years, including extinctions of 90 species, according to a review of evidence.<br /><br />It has spread to over 60 countries.<br /><br />Australia, Central America and South America are particularly hard hit.<br /><br />"Highly virulent wildlife disease, including chytridiomycosis, is contributing to the Earth's sixth mass extinction," said Dr Ben Scheele of The Australian National University in Canberra.<br />"We've lost some really amazing species."<br />
