Frog-killer wiping out species
Posted by Miqe on May 3, 2007
A DEADLY fungus that has killed thousands of frogs is proving it isn’t easy being green.
The chytrid fungus is responsible for the extinction of up to eight species of frogs in eastern Australia and up to 100 worldwide, according to research by Kerry Kriger at Griffith University.
Although it could wipe out a third of the amphibian population, the skin-disease caused by the fungus does nothing to threaten the cane toad population.
“The disease can have an 80 per cent mortality rate (on frogs),” the PhD student said.
“It’s likely to have driven about 100 species to extinction.”
Mr Kriger said that in terms of population decline, there was no deadlier disease to frogs than chytrid.
The fungus has been found all over the world and thrives on cool, moist areas.
As part of the study, Mr Kriger trekked from the Daintree Rainforest down to the Snowy Mountains looking for evidence of the disease.
Even if the disease didn’t kill a frog it could cause problems with breeding and reduce the local population, he said.
The fungus has not been known to affect humans.
Mr Kriger said even though the fungus is becoming more widespread, humans can help their amphibious friends.
“Additional stress on a frog… is going to make it more susceptible,” he said.
He said some of those stresses include the loss of habitat, the prevalence of pesticides and changes in climate which all affect the immune systems of frogs.
From Herald Sun
