Evidence of a chytrid fungus infection involved in the decline of the common midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans) in protected areas of central Spain

During the summers of 1997, 1998 and 1999 mass mortality episodes of post-m etamorphic common midwife toads (Alytes obstetricans) occurred in a protect ed area in central Spain. The population suffered a sharp decline, disappea ring from 86% of the ponds where they were known to reproduce some years ag o. Scanning electron microscopy and histological techniques revealed the pr esence of a chytridiomycosis infection in the skin of the toads. This evide nce supports chytridiomycosis as the most plausible cause of the decline of the species in the area. This is the first report of an apparent chytridiu m-caused amphibian decline in Europe. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.