- Increasing numbers of amphibians are being affected by
Chytridiomycosis, a lethal fungal disease that has entered the
country through frogs imported as food for aquarium fish. - A
large population of amphibians in the Ryukyu Archipelago is
threatened due to loss of habitat where deforestation from
logging, wood harvesting and urban development are seen as the
major causes of habitat decline. - The native amphibian
biodiversity in Ryukyu Archipelago is threatened by introduced
alien species that are rapidly expanding their geographical
range. - Deforestation has resulted in the disturbance of
natural river flow in areas populated by amphibians. Soil
erosion and runoff created by this phenomenon further adds to
the loss of amphibian habitats. - Reduction in the quality and
quantity of inland water environments is a major contributor to
declines in several endemic amphibians on the main islands of
Japan. - The Japanese giant salamander is now protected from
international trade as it is listed in Appendix I of