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Chytridiomycosis is a fungal disease of amphibians. "A series of catastrophic declines in relatively undisturbed regions, however, has remained a mystery until recently. At these sites, notably in the montane rain forests of Australia and Central America, multiple species assemblages of amphibians have disappeared within a short time period and a number of global (species) extinctions are thought to have occurred. These include the extinction of the golden toad (Bufo periglenes) of Costa Rica and two species of gastric brooding frogs (Rheobatrachus) of Australia - species only discovered in the last half of the 20th century."
http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~iacuc/infectiousdis.htm

The group of vertebrates least studied from the standpoint of pathogens, especially in wild populations, is the class Reptilia. Most reports on disease and infectious agents in reptiles involve animals in zoologic and research collections.
http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~iacuc/infectiousdis.htm

However, of special concern is upper respiratory tract disease (caused by Mycoplasma agassizii) in wild desert tortoises, which is causing disastrous declines in their populations. This and other possible diseases (see 'amphibians' above) make any release of reptiles and amphibians, even if they have been captive for only a short time, a matter of considerable controversy.

To learn about investigations into the bacterial, viral and fungal diseases of Chelonia (turtles, tortoises), Crocodilia (crocodiles and alligators), Lacertilia (lizards) and Ophidia (snakes), go to http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~iacuc/infectiousdis.htm

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