{
  "id": 10956751,
  "title": "Climate refuges may be key to restoring imperiled amphibians",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/climate-refuges-may-be-key-to-restoring-imperiled-amphibians",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-30T14:00:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-climate-refuges-key-imperiled-amphibians.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A deadly fungal disease, known as amphibian chytrid, is wreaking havoc on wild frog populations worldwide. Researchers from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) have pinpointed specific locations in Panama where certain species of harlequin toads, a type of frog, may survive despite the disease. The chytrid fungus, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has been spreading through Central and South America since the 1970s and has driven many neotropical frog species to near extinction, including those in the genus Atelopus. Conservationists are looking to reintroduce captive-bred species to the wild, but they hope to increase their chances of survival by identifying climatic refugia—areas that are not conducive to the chytrid fungus but are suitable for frogs. Scientists used models developed previously to map the suitability of these refuges, focusing on where the disease was present and when it was most severe. These maps revealed that most harlequin toad species in Panama can only survive where more than 80% of seasons are unsuitable for the fungus. Only the variable harlequin toad (A. varius) was found in areas where the disease thrives, suggesting this species may have evolved some resistance to chytrid. The researchers believe identifying climatic refugia is crucial for locating populations that have disappeared from most of their former range and could provide genetic material to boost captive populations and potentially reintroduce them into the wild.",
  "summary": "As a deadly fungal disease ravages wild frog populations around the globe, scientists have identified potential locations in Panama where amphibians might persist despite the disease, according to new research from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) published in the Journal for Nature Conservation.",
  "key_points": [
    "Deadly fungal disease, amphibian chytrid, threatens frog populations globally.",
    "Researchers identify Panama locations for surviving harlequin toad species.",
    "Climatic refugia with 80% fungus-unfavorable seasons crucial for amphibian survival."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}