Darwin's frog declared to be extinct
Darwin's frog declared to be extinct
November 21, 2013
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Mono Andes
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Scientists from the Zoological Society of London and the Universidad Andrés Bello in Chile have declared the only two known species of Darwin's frog to be extinct in the Nov. 20, 2013, edition of the journal Public Library of Science.
Chytridiomycosis, an amphibian disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has produced the extinction of both the northern Darwin’s frog (Rhinoderma rufum) that was endemic to Chile and the southern Rhinoderma darwinii from Chile and Argentina.
Darwin’s frogs have been studied since Charles Darwin first documented the frog’s existence during the voyage of the Beagle.
Population studies have been continuously made since 1835. All 26 known populations of Darwin’s frogs were found to be infected with chytridiomycosis during an extensive survey from 2008 to 2012.
Darwin’s frogs were unique in that the male guards the egg laid by the female and carries the tadpoles in its vocal pouch until the tadpoles are large enough to survive on their own.
The demise of Darwin’s frogs is one of several examples of the effect of amphibian chytridiomycosis. The disease causes a swelling of the frog’s mouth and results in inefficient electrolyte transfer that leads to death by cardiac arrest.
There is no known cure for amphibian chytridiomycosis.
examiner.com
