Topic: Research News
Scientists from University College London and others found that some toad populations can recover from a deadly fungus. They discovered that these toads had stronger immune defenses, which helped them fight off the infection. The study was published in Nature Chemical Biology.
A team of scientists from University College London (UCL), ZSL Institute of Zoology, and Imperial College London has solved a long-standing mystery about why some amphibian populations recover after outbreaks of a deadly fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). This fungus is responsible for devastating declines in frogs and toads around the world.
The study focused on common midwife toads living near four lakes in France and Spain. The researchers found that while one lake had almost no toads left, three other lakes had recovered from the outbreak despite still having the fungus present. The team looked at the antimicrobial chemicals called peptides that these toads secreted from their skin.
They discovered that groups of toads with stronger immune defenses were more likely to mature earlier, during the tadpole stage. This meant they were better protected as they entered adulthood and could fight off the infection. Lead author Dr. Phillip Jervis explained,
Implications
Scientists from University College London and others found that some toad populations can recover from a deadly fungus. They discovered that these toads had stronger immune defenses, which helped them fight off the infection. The study was published in Nature Chemical Biology.
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