New tadpole disease affecting frogs across globe, scientists find
New tadpole disease affecting frogs across globe, scientists find
Source: Reuters - Mon, 10 Aug 2015 19:00 GMT
LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Tadpoles are contracting a new, highly infectious disease that may be threatening frog populations worldwide, British scientists have found.
A parasitic disease caused by single-celled microbes known as "protists" was found in the livers of tadpole samples taken from six countries across three continents, the scientists said in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Journal on Monday.
The disease, which was found in both tropical and temperate sites, is a distant relative of oyster parasites, they said.
"Global frog populations are suffering serious declines and infectious disease has been shown to be a significant factor," said Thomas Richards of Exeter University, who co-led the study.
More:
http://www.trust.org/item/20150810190119-dtksr/
