The value of well-designed experiments in studying diseases with special reference to amphibians.
Relatively few studies of amphibian diseases have employed standard ecological experimental designs. We discuss what constitutes a well-designed ecological experiment and encourage their use in disease studies. We illustrate how well-designed experiments can be used to determine the effects of pathogens on amphibians and we illustrate how ancillary information, including that collected using molecular tools, can be used to enhance the value of such experiments.
Blaustein
Andrew R
AR
Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-2914, USA. blaustea@science.oregonstate.edu
Alford
Ross A
RA
Harris
Reid N
RN
D000663:Amphibians / Q000382:microbiology*; D000820:Animal Diseases; D000818:Animals; D008411:Chytridiomycota / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D013045:Species Specificity