The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (chytrid) has caused the most widespread, disease-induced declines and extinctions in vertebrates recorded to date. The largest climatically suitable landmass that may still be free of this fungus is New Guinea. The island is home to a sizeable proportion of the world's known frog species (an estimated 6%), as well as many additional, yet-to-be-described species. Two decades of research on the chytrid fungus have provided a foundation for improved management of amphibian populations. We call for urgent, unified, international, multidisciplinary action to prepare for the arrival of B dendrobatidis in New Guinea, to prevent or slow its spread within the island after it arrives, and to limit its impact upon the island's frog populations. The apparent absence of the fungus in New Guinea offers an opportunity to build capacity in advance for science, disease surveillance, and diagnosis that will have broad relevance both for non-human animal health and for public health.

中文翻译：

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机会之岛：新几内亚能否保护两栖动物免受全球新兴病原体的侵害？

迄今为止，两栖类壶菌真菌 Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (壶菌) 已导致脊椎动物中最普遍的、由疾病引起的衰退和灭绝。可能仍然没有这种真菌的最大的气候适宜陆地是新几内亚。该岛拥有相当大比例的世界已知青蛙物种（估计为 6%），以及许多其他尚未被描述的物种。对壶菌属真菌进行了二十年的研究，为改进两栖动物种群的管理奠定了基础。我们呼吁采取紧急、统一、国际、多学科的行动，为 B dendrobatidis 到达新几内亚做好准备，防止或减缓它到达后在岛上的传播，并限制其对岛上青蛙种群的影响。