Thanks. I was almost loathe to say that I went out and collected some for the state wildlife pathologist- I've intellectually stimulated him here and there a few times over the years. There is the possibility that my man-made ponds, though the soil on my property is nearly identical to that in vernal pool areas and woodland ponds locally may also have introduced an element that has influenced this...

My toxic hero, Thomas Eisner (an entomologist/toxicologist, but a good Cornell contact to get things to the right people) has passed away, as have many of my capable friends over the years, but the state wildlife guy loves a mystery. The negative side would be allowing state guys on my property to do collecting <sigh>.

I brought him chytrid infected frogs four summers ago when it hit our area first time. He asked me how I found them and deduced what they were suffering from. I said that I saw adult green frogs hopping around in the sun on hot roads during the day acting disoriented and spastic (for the first time in my life). I assumed that since the fungus irritated the skin in early stages, it had the effect to make the frogs spread the fungus this way, traveling to new ponds, DRIVEN to new places, much like rabies causes the infected animal seek out another victim. After testing, yes they were infected, but I seem to be as yet the only one who has noted this phenomenon. Though chytrid has now moved through twice in this region, populations generally bounce back in one year, so I am assuming some level of resistance in individuals. I read about it constantly, provide specimens when I can.

Always new things. Too much to learn, but fun while you do. I'm sure you would laugh, but I was shocked to find out after years of keeping and breeding caecilians, that many of them have strong toxins- none of the literature I had read mentioned it. And yet I have several species of snakes that eat them (all of which readily switch to scented substitute prey items- much like mud snakes will eat a sponge rubbed on an amphiuma, or a rainbow snake would eat a rock with eel mucus on it- young ribbons aren't that easy to switch until they're 12" plus) and again wonder about that predator/prey relationship- acquired immunity? genetic? fascinating.

A pleasure corresponding with you, you've given me much to plan and consider. My facilities are not sufficient for this type of work, just observational. I do captive breeding. If no one can breed it naturally, I do. If people can't keep it alive, I do. Bugs to birds, not attached to any one group or species, I find them all worthy of the effort necessary to help others work with them and save them for future generations.