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Deadly fungus reaches endangered frogs and toads in India
The fungal pathogen behind the extinction of entire species of South American amphibians has been detected for the first time in endangered frogs and toads in India. In a study published in Royal Society Open Science, a team of researchers reported finding Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, or Bd, in the white-lipped cricket frog (Fejervarya cf. sahyadris) and amboli toad (Xanthophryne tigerina). The fungus was first found in the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, in 2011. Researchers said they have no evidence that it has developed into the deadly chytridiomycosis there, but they called for monitoring to minimize the bacteria’s spread.
Header Image: The pathogen that has wiped out amphibians in South America has been found in the amboli toad in India. ©Lewis Davies/University of Plymouth