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An Amphibian Fungus Has Become 'The Most Deadly Pathogen Known To Science'
"On Thursday, 41 scientists published the first worldwide analysis of a fungal outbreak that's been wiping out frogs for decades," The New York Times reports. The outbreak has caused more than 500 species of amphibians to decline significantly (Warning: source may be paywalled; alternative source), making it "the most deadly pathogen known to science." From the report: Scientists first noticed in the 1970s that some frog populations were declining quickly; by the 1980s, some species appeared to be extinct. The losses were puzzling, because the frogs were living in pristine habitats, unharmed by pollution or deforestation. In the late 1990s, researchers discovered that frogs in both Australia and Panama were infected with a deadly fungus, which they named Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis -- Bd, for short. The fungus turned up in other countries, but studies of its DNA suggest that Bd originated on the Korean Peninsula. In Asia, amphibians seem impervious to Bd, but when it got to other parts of the world â" probably via the international trade in pet amphibians -- the pathogen reached hundreds of vulnerable species.
Amphibians are infected with Bd by contact with other animals or by spores floating in the water. The fungus invades skin cells and multiplies. An infected frog's skin will start to peel away as the animal grows sluggish. Before it dies, a frog may manage to hop its way to a new stream or pond, spreading the fungus further. The fungus thrives in cool, moist conditions. As a result, frogs that live in cloud forests on mountainsides have been hit particularly hard. Big frogs are at a greater risk, too, possibly because they don't multiply as quickly as small ones. [The lead author of the new study and his colleagues] identified 501 species in decline, far greater than the previous estimate of 200. Certain factors once thought to account for the decimation of frog populations -- like climate change and deforestation -- are not the greatest threats, the scientists found. The study has been published in the journal Science.
Amphibians are infected with Bd by contact with other animals or by spores floating in the water. The fungus invades skin cells and multiplies. An infected frog's skin will start to peel away as the animal grows sluggish. Before it dies, a frog may manage to hop its way to a new stream or pond, spreading the fungus further. The fungus thrives in cool, moist conditions. As a result, frogs that live in cloud forests on mountainsides have been hit particularly hard. Big frogs are at a greater risk, too, possibly because they don't multiply as quickly as small ones. [The lead author of the new study and his colleagues] identified 501 species in decline, far greater than the previous estimate of 200. Certain factors once thought to account for the decimation of frog populations -- like climate change and deforestation -- are not the greatest threats, the scientists found. The study has been published in the journal Science.
Here is finally something you could introduce to get rid of those pesky cane toads! I foresee no problems whatsoever. :-)
A pathogen that affects entire class of animals, wow, just wow. That's an equivalent of a disease that affected all mammals indiscriminately, I didn't think such a thing was possible.
... perhaps this pathogen can be engineered to infect only politicians.
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
The spawning of this fungus has been toadaly out of control. We should always remember just how bad a pathogen can be to a species. Never froget about it.
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
"probably via the international trade in pet amphibians"
Who knows how many other diseases & invasive species gained access to whole (Western) World (& still do) because of international pet trade!!!
& not to mention, how much of those pets get horrible treatment/suffering of all kinds!!!
How about banning ALL INTERNATIONAL PET TRADE globally/completely/absolutely???
I would recommend that you get your education in science from more reputable sources then Cable TV
The problem with these sources is that they are trying to stay interesting all the time. So when they actually report on Science it is often on the far off Hypothesis of the week. The Hypothesis process of the scientific method can be wrong, and usually incomplete. But it is the question that is asked, that requires further research to say yes this is a good idea, or no this is a stupid idea.
In terms of the new Ice Age 40 years ago, this was based on smog blocking out the sun, We had improvements in many parts of the world to reduce smog, so this was reduced... However during the recent Olympics in China. They found that the weather had gotten noticeably warmer when the Chinese Government Stopped Smog for the days during the Olympics.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
I thought they found a cure 4 years ago!
https://phys.org/news/2015-11-chytrid-scientists-method-killer-fungus.html