Scientists finally solved why some frogs survive a deadly fungus
Scientists have discovered that some amphibian populations survive the deadly chytrid fungus by developing antimicrobial skin peptides earlier in their life cycle. This immune adaptation allows them to resist the fungus once they reach adulthood and become vulnerable.
Why it matters
This finding provides critical insight into how endangered species might naturally evolve to survive global fungal outbreaks.
Scientists have uncovered why some amphibian populations rebound after being devastated by a deadly fungal disease that has wiped out frogs and toads around the world.
The research, led by University College London (UCL), ZSL, and Imperial College London, found that the timing of an amphibian's immune development plays a critical role in whether it survives infection. The findings were published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology .
A Deadly Fungus That Targets Adult Amphibians
The chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ), has caused catastrophic declines in amphibian populations across the globe. The fungus is responsible for chytridiomycosis, a disease that damages the skin of frogs and toads and disrupts their ability to regulate water, salts, and minerals.
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