Mutant fungus croaks frogs named after Darwin? CNN.
Brumfield, Ben. "Mutant Fungus." CNN. Turner Broadcasting System Inc. 27 Nov 13. Web. 03 Dec 13. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/27/tech/darwin-frog-croaks/index.html>In the article linked above, there is a type of fungi that is mutating and killing all types of amphibians- particularly two types of frogs called Rhinoderma rufum, and Rhinoderma darwinii. These were both named after Charles Darwin, who discovered the Rhinoderma darwinii on a voyage in the 1830's. Rhinoderma rufum is now extinct, with the last reported sighting of them in 1980. Rhinoderma darwinii is not far behind becoming extinct, as it is now on the endangered species list.
The frogs both are the only known vertebrates (with the exception of seahorses) that are known to "sort of" get pregnant. A study conducted concluded that "males care for their young by incubating them in their vocal sacs for at least part of their development." This process is known as neomelia.
The fungus that is eliminating the remaining frogs (and other amphibians) is called Chytridiomycosis, which is caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Chytridiomycosis is a disease in amphibians that is thought to possibly have mutated, and have several different strains, each adapting to temperature changes and other environmental factors.
I do not feel that this effects my personal life in any way, besides maybe if I was to go into any type of research field, or microbiology. However, I feel that this discovery effects many aspects of the research community, and possibly could lead to an extinction of a species, not to mention many other amphibians everywhere Bd is detected in the water.
Thanks for reading, guys. Stay cool.
