Articles tagged with Frogs
A recent study published in Nature reveals that climate-driven fungal disease is a major contributor to the decline of amphibian populations worldwide. The research found that warmer temperatures favor the growth and reproduction of a deadly skin fungus, which kills frogs mostly in cool highlands or during winter.
A new study has pinpointed epicenters of Earth's imminent extinctions, identifying 794 species in need of urgent conservation action at specific sites worldwide. The research highlights the critical need for global cooperation to protect these imperiled species and ecosystems.
Researchers found that reestablished contact between two isolated green-eyed tree frog populations led to the emergence of a new species due to females' preference for mates from their own lineage. This preference resulted in reproductive isolation and accelerated evolution, ultimately giving rise to a distinct species.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered compounds secreted by frog skin can selectively kill HIV without harming T cells. The findings hold promise for developing new treatments and vaccines against the virus.
Researchers found that Roundup(r) killed up to 71% of tadpoles and 86% of terrestrial frogs after exposure. The surfactant in the herbicide, not the active ingredient, is lethal to amphibians. The study highlights concerns about accidental spraying during lawn care.
A study by PhD student Rebecca Cramp found that the green-striped burrowing frog can maintain its gut function despite prolonged starvation, allowing it to digest massive meals efficiently. The discovery has implications for human survival during starvation, as humans often experience severe gastrointestinal issues after re-feeding.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researcher Rick Relyea found that Roundup is extremely lethal to amphibians, causing a 70 percent decline in biodiversity and an 86 percent decline in tadpole mass. The herbicide's surfactant was responsible for its toxic effects on amphibian populations.
A wireless distributed sensor network simulates synchronized calling behavior of frogs and cicadas. The system exhibits complex group behaviors, including the emergence of new calling cycles and the recruitment of nodes to these cycles.
Researchers found evidence of chytrid fungus persistence in surviving populations of Taudactylus eungellensis, a species that had suffered a massive decline. The study suggests that frog populations can persist with an endemic infection of the fungus, challenging the assumption that infected populations are wiped out.
Researchers in Australia have discovered that frog populations of critically endangered species can persist with stable fungal infections, challenging the role of a deadly disease in their declines. The study found no evidence that survival differed between infected and uninfected frogs, suggesting coexistence rather than devastating i...
The European common frog has a complex breeding strategy where males engage in clutch piracy, fertilizing eggs left unfertilized after the initial encounter. This behavior leads to a greater percentage of fertilized eggs and clutches with multiple fathers.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from farming activities cause eutrophication, creating a food web that imperils frogs. A parasite, Ribeiroia ondatrae, infects tadpoles, causing deformities.
A study found that high nutrient levels lead to increased rams horn snail populations, which in turn cause more parasite infections and deformities in frogs. This research may help explain the recent increase in amphibian malformations and suggest control strategies.
Researchers found bullfrog calls with stutters have a communication function and don't indicate fatigue. The frogs use stutters to extend call length while reducing air exchange, attracting mates during breeding season.
A study by UC Berkeley post-doctoral fellow Vance T. Vredenburg shows that non-native trout have devastated native frog populations in high-Sierra lakes, but removing fish allows the frogs to flourish. The mountain yellow-legged frog has declined dramatically due to introduced trout, with only 5,000 adults remaining in its range.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully designed better bacteria killers by modifying arylamide-based polymers inspired by frog skin. The modified polymers can disrupt bacterial cell membranes without harming human cells, making them a promising new approach to combat antibiotic resistance.
Out-of-balance ecosystems play a significant role in the demise of amphibian populations. Human activities, parasites, and environmental changes are contributing factors. The research highlights the importance of managing landscapes and water bodies to prevent further declines.
Research reveals a significant rise in frog deformities over the past three decades, with a notable correlation to trematode parasites. Historically documented cases suggest an ongoing issue, while recent findings indicate increased occurrences and severity across more than 50 hotspots in North America.
Elizabeth Loftus presents her latest research on false memories, showing that suggestive interviewing and visual cues can plant false memories in people. Her studies have challenged the idea that memories are reliable and accurate.
Researchers found that dissolved organic matter protects most amphibian embryos from harmful levels of UV-B radiation in natural habitats. The studies suggest that the causes of amphibian population declines may be specific to each region and require a more nuanced approach.
A recent study suggests that dissolved organic matter in water absorbs UV-B, protecting 85% of amphibian habitats. The timing of breeding also plays a crucial role, with early breeding reducing UV-B exposure in certain regions.
Researchers found habitat destruction and pesticide exposure linked to declines of four frog species and two toad species in California. The study suggests that wind-borne agrochemicals may be a contributing factor to amphibian population declines.
A study by Penn State researchers found that deformed frogs are linked to the combination of parasite infection and pesticide exposure. The research, which included experimental studies in ponds where the animals live, may help explain how environmental stress affects disease outbreaks in frogs.
Researchers found that increasing UVB levels in wetlands are associated with an increased frequency of frog malformations. The study suggests that UV radiation may be a significant contributor to the decline of amphibian populations, particularly in areas where ozone depletion and climate change reduce natural UV protection.
Researchers have discovered that Australian poison frogs produce their own toxin-rich alkaloids, rather than obtaining them from food sources. This groundbreaking finding challenges the long-held assumption that vertebrates obtain these complex chemicals solely through diet.
The discovery of the Jaragua Sphaero, a lizard measuring about three quarters of an inch from snout to tail, highlights the Caribbean's unique species diversity. Rapid population growth, agricultural practices, and lack of access to data contribute to the region's biodiversity loss.
Researchers have identified a rare human disorder linked to aquaporin-1 protein deficiency, which affects the ability to concentrate urine and maintain healthy water levels. The finding may help doctors develop new treatments for diseases like diabetes insipidus, which causes frequent urination and emaciation.
A USGS study links agricultural contaminants to declining amphibian populations in California's Sierra Nevada. Pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon, were found to suppress enzyme activity in frogs, leading to population declines.
American bullfrogs are non-native to western Canada, but their population is expanding rapidly due to human activity. Purnima Govindarajulu, a UVic graduate student, is studying the impact of these invasive frogs on native species and ecosystems.
Researchers analyzed X-rays of 180 frogs collected at 16 sites in three states, revealing site-specific and time-dependent influences on malformation development. The study suggests that tadpoles received the same developmental insult at the same stage, contributing to the wide geographic occurrence and variety of deformities.
New USGS research shows that frog and toad abundance and species richness are low in urban areas but near normal in agricultural areas. The study also confirms the role of forests as important amphibian habitat, suggesting that habitat quality is crucial for these species.
Researchers found a species of frog in Puerto Rico that develops directly from eggs into fully formed adults, retaining the need for thyroid hormone despite bypassing the tadpole phase. This discovery showcases a classic case of evolutionary change in development, where the species adapted to evade predators by losing the tadpole stage.
The USGS is launching a citizen science program to monitor frogs and toads across the United States. Volunteers will collect data on local amphibian populations, helping scientists understand the decline of these species worldwide.
A leading expert warns that amphibian declines are a complex problem with multiple causes, including rising levels of UV-B radiation, pathogens, and pollutants. The lack of a single cause does not diminish the seriousness of this ecological phenomenon.
A new study at Oregon State University found that low levels of nitrate and nitrite in water can kill some species of amphibians, especially during their larval stages. The study suggests that water quality criteria set by the EPA may not guarantee the survival of all protected and endangered amphibian species.
Researchers found that sites with high agricultural land had a stronger correlation with red-legged frog declines than UV radiation or global warming. The study suggests that wind-borne pesticides from the Central Valley may be contributing to the frogs' decline in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Two studies published in Science suggest that parasites, specifically Riberoria trematodes, are responsible for some frog deformities. Laboratory and field experiments found that parasite infections cause mirror-image limb deformities, distinct from the thigh-knee-thigh-knee pattern caused by retinoids.
A team led by Owen Sexton successfully repopulated ponds with wood frog and spotted salamander egg masses, resulting in healthy and thriving populations. The reintroduction showcases the importance of habitat preservation and genetic similarity in facilitating amphibian dispersion and adaptation.
Researchers discovered that trace amounts of nicotine can raise blood pressure in an animal model by releasing the neurotransmitter lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). The study suggests that even small doses of nicotine may cause short-term high blood pressure and potentially hypertension in humans.
A new fungal disease has been identified as a potential cause of mass frog deaths in Australia and Panama, with similar declines observed in pristine rainforests. The fungus is thought to disrupt frogs' skin mechanisms, leading to fatal infections.
A new fungus has been discovered that is killing frogs and toads worldwide, with 10 species affected in Australia and seven in Panama. The fungus, thought to be suffocating the animals by coating their skin and legs, may be a major factor behind the decline of amphibian populations reported globally.
A new species of frog, Eleutherodactylus iberia, has been discovered by scientists funded by the US National Science Foundation. The one-centimeter-long frog is the smallest of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere and part of a group that includes all animals with backbones except fishes.
A team of biologists has discovered a new species of tiny frog in Cuba's Monte Iberia rainforest. The frog, Eleutherodactylus iberia, measures just one centimeter long and is the smallest known tetrapod, a group that includes all animals with backbones except fishes.