An explanation is emerging for why frog populations have declined worldwide. The massive die-off may have been caused by a fungus:
A fungus that has torn through frog populations worldwide kills by dehydrating the hapless amphibians, disrupting electrolyte balance and causing cardiac arrest.
The fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which is responsible for chytridiomycosis disease, has caused massive frog death on a global scale, threatening many species with extinction. When the fungus reached the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, it slashed mountain yellow-legged frog populations by more than 75 percent in only about four years. The frog (Rana muscosa) is now listed as endangered.
I may be seeing connections where none exist but here in the U. S. “white nose syndrome”, which may also be caused by a fungus, has already killed at least a million bats. So far it’s mostly in the Northeast but the condition has been migrating west and south.
Although we seldom think of them this way fungi form a fourth kingdom of living organisms along with plant, animals, and bacteria. They aren’t just mushrooms. Tiny fungi are practically everywhere covering practically everything. Normally, your immune system keeps your fungi at bay.
I can’t help but wonder if something has happened to the immune systems of animals that are suddenly succumbing to fungal attack. Maybe it’s climate change. Or is it possible that something has upset the balance of bacteria that compete with fungi for resources?
Interesting questions. Another possibility (I haven’t done the research) is that the fungus is an invasive species.
I think William Hope Hodgson would agree with Andy.
(Eartly 20th century sci-fi author who often wrote about invasive, weird fungi that absorbed plants and animals. Pretty creepy stuff.)
One of my favorite authors, as I’ve mentioned before. I’m currently amusing myself by adapting several of his sea stories into a screenplay.
I was fascinated until I saw the climate change reference. Jesus H Christ
The ebb and flow of weak vs dominating and emerging species, marauders and survivors, has been going on since the beginning of life on earth.
But separately, suppose we could get some of that fungus and put it in the Senate. Maybe they’d pass a budget. 😉
Now if only I could get rid of that fungus between my toes!
Here’s a little more information on the bat infection.
Triclosan? Apart from being an endocrine disruptor, could it be affecting cell membranes and bacterial protection for frogs?
Another possibility is a mutation in fungus populations. As bacteria swap bits of genetic coding, I’d bet fungi do too.
There is research into chemicals such as persistent or systemic pesticides and their possible role in compromising the immune systems of certain species. Warming is also suggested as a possibility because it extends the potential habitat of the fungi and other microbes which had previously dound the North American climate rather inhospitable.
Bat infections were first noticed in 2006. I’d look at something more immediate than global warming.
Here’s a good overview of the chytrid fungus in frogs.
“The ebb and flow of weak vs dominating and emerging species, marauders and survivors, has been going on since the beginning of life on earth.”
Yeah, and all of it taking place in the context of climate stability.