Scientists finally solved why some frogs survive a deadly fungus
Researchers have discovered that some amphibian populations survive the deadly chytrid fungus because they develop protective antimicrobial peptides earlier in their life cycle. This immune development allows them to resist the fungus once they reach adulthood.
Why it matters
Understanding these biological mechanisms is crucial for conservation efforts to prevent the extinction of frog and toad species worldwide.
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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