Science

Researchers discover why some frogs have escaped the current amphibian mass extinction

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 28/10/2026, 01:25:25 UTC.

Briefings

A 2026 study reveals that a specific fungus in Central and South America has driven the extinction of 41% of amphibian species, yet the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia remains a refuge hosting at least 48 species, including 25 unique ones. This isolated mountain range protects amphibians from the broader regional fungal threat, allowing a community of at least 48 species to persist where others have not.

Key points

• A killer fungus in Central and South America has caused the extinction of 41% of amphibian species.
• The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia hosts at least 48 amphibian species, including 25 found nowhere else on Earth.

Context

Amphibians face the highest extinction risk among vertebrates globally. This study contrasts the widespread fungal threat in the Americas with the resilience of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, which acts as a critical biodiversity refuge.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia; the fungus's impact on other regions is not covered. The study does not provide specific dates for the fungus's emergence or the exact number of unique species in the refuge.

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