<
https://theconversation.com/how-a-lethal-fungus-is-shrinking-living-space-for-our-frogs-212108>
"In 1993, frogs were found dying en masse in Far North Queensland. When
scientists analysed their bodies, they found something weird. Their small
bodies were covered in spores.
It was an epidemic. An aquatic fungus had eaten the keratin in their skin,
compromising its function and leading to cardiac arrest. And worse, the
amphibian chytrid fungus (
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) had been quietly
spreading around the world, from South America to Europe, killing frogs
wherever it went.
Likely native to the Korean Peninsula, it was first detected in Australia in
the late 1970s. As it spread, it caused the extinction of at least four
Australian frog species and probably three others.
This lethal pathogen is a selective killer. As our new research shows, it
effectively makes some areas a no-go zone for susceptible frog species. The
fungus doesn’t like hot conditions. But in cooler environments – such as in
southern Australia and higher up in mountain ranges – it flourishes. Mortality
rates in these environments can approach 100% for some frog species."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
