A fungus devastating frogs and toads on nearly every continent may have an Achilles heel.
A fungus devastating frogs and toads on nearly every continent may have an Achilles heel. Scientists have discovered a virus that infects the fungus, and that could be engineered to save the amphibians.
The fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis or Bd, ravages the skin of frogs and toads, and eventually causes heart failure. To date it has contributed to the decline of over 500 amphibian species, and 90 possible extinctions including yellow-legged mountain frogs in the Sierras and the Panamanian golden frog.
A new paper in the journal Current Biology documents the discovery of a virus that infects Bd, and which could be engineered to control the fungal disease.
Read more at: University of California - Riverside
Panamanian golden frog is nearing extinction. (Photo Credit: Brian Gratwicke/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
