Frogs and Amphibians

"Scientists say that amphibians represent the global equivalent of the “canary in the coal mine.” “Amphibians' thin skins help them drink and breathe but also make them susceptible to environmental contaminants particularly agricultural, industrial, and pharmaceutical chemicals.” Over 32 % of all known amphibian species are threatened with extinction. The disease Chytridiomycosis — which scientists think originated with the African Clawed toad a species exported for commercial and scientific use — has now spread to all continents inhabited by amphibians. In the cool and moist habitats where the fungus thrives it causes an annual mortality of 50–80% with no known cure."