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| AP: mountain yellow-legged with egg sack |
The world's frogs are being decimated by the chytrid fungal disease. It has spread to nearly 600 species of frogs and probably driven 200 species to extinction. A biologist researching the disease said it was responsible for "the worst population crash of animals in history". Scientists are now testing a bacteria they hope will provide frogs with immunity to chytridiomycosis in Kings Canyon National Park. The bacterium
Janthinobacterium lividum may be the savior of California's mountain yellow-legged frog
(Rana muscosa), now on the IUCN Red List as extremely endangered
[photo]. Before 1968 yellow-legged frogs were abundant in every area that had permanent water above 1200 feet. Researchers from San Francisco State University are pouring the bacteria into high Sierra lakes where the frog's tadpoles live. The disease inhibits the flow of electrolytes across the amphibian's skin causing heart failure. The bacteria was first discovered on the red-backed salamander which appears to be protected from chytridiomycosis. The Pacific chorus frog also appears to be immune to the disease and is blamed for spreading it to other frogs.
